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SKETCHES 

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OF THE MOST IMPORTANT \ 

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BATTLES OF THE REYOLTJTION, \ 



EXPLANATORY OF THE 



VINE OF LIBERTY. 




BY WILLIAM RANKIN. 



NEW-YORK : 

PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY WARREN C. BUTLER, TRIBUNE 

BUILDINGS, 2 SPRUCE-STREET. 

1849. 



E230 
.K2 



60;>ii 



PREFACE. 

When the autlior of the following pages put his Chart, 
called the Vine of Liberty, into the hands of an artist to 
be engraved, it was deemed necessary that a short descrip- 
tion of each of the Battles represented on the Chart, should 
be published to accompany it. To meet this demand, this 
little volume has been hastily prepared. 

The following Authors have been consulted; Willard, 
Sparks, Batta, Willson, Headley, and several others. - A 
few paragraphs have been extracted from Mrs. Willa^d's 
** Republic of America," and in a very few instances, from 
some of the other historians mentioned ; but the chief part 
is the author's own composition, and is coTupiled from an 
unfinished manuscript, on the Battles of the American 
Revolution, which he expects soon to publish in a mucli 
larger and more perfect volume than the present 

Dcckertown N, J., April 11, 1849. 



CONTENTS 



Explanation of Chart 
Battle of Lexington 
Capture of Fort Ticonderoga 
Battle of Bunker's Hill 
The Expedition to Canada . 

St. John's 

Montreal 

Queheck 

Concluding Events of the Expedition 
Evacuatio7i of Boston 
Charleston . 
Battle of Long Island 
White Plains 
Trenton and Princeton 
le's Expedition 

Battle of Huhhardton 

Bennington . 

Saratoga 
Battle of Brandywine 
Germantown 
Monmouth . 
Massacre of Wyoming 
Arrival, and opperations of the French Fleet 
Savannah taken hy the British 
Savannah River . 
Stony Point ' 
Siege of Savannah 
Charleston taken . 
Camden 

King's Mountain 
Cowpens 
Guildford . 
Hobkirk's Hill 
Eutaw Springs 



12 
16 
22 
23 
25 
25 
29 
31 
32 
35 
37 
39 
42 
42 
44 
46 
51 
53 
55 
58 
61 
62 
64 
65 
69 
71 
74 
78 
79 
81 
84 
86 



Events which immediately preceded the close of the War. 88 



THE YOE OELIBEETY. 




HIS little work is prepared to 
accompany a cliart on which a 
Vine is made the emblem of Lib- 
erty in such a manner as to illus- 
trate the history of the American 
Revolution. In the year 1775, 
Great Britain attempted to com- 
pel, by force of arms, her Ameri- 
can colonies to submit to measures which they considered 
oppressive beyond endurance. This attempt the mother 
country made while laboring under a very important error, 
which was, that the Americans- were destitute of true mili- 
tary courage. She supposed that a little disj^lay of arms 
^nd some bloodshed, would frighten them into submission; 
consequently, the war was carried on during the first year 
without a great and systematic armament on the part of 
Great Britain ; nor did the colonies make an entire separa- 
tion from the parent country. At the opening of the sec- 
ond year, England came to the conclusion, from what had 
happened during the previous year, that if she conquered 
the Americans, much obstinacy and some real courage must 
be encountered. Parliament, therefore, resolved to prose- 
cute a systematic war. A large number of German troops 



6 THE VINE OF LIBERTY. 

were employed ; and a numerous and well organized force 
left the British ports. This army, consisting of some fifty 
thousand men, was divided into three departments. The 
northern, under Burgoyne, was to sail for the St. Law- 
rence, penetrate the country by way of lake Champlain, 
and advance as far as Albany. The central, under 
Howe, was to steer for the midJle states, capture New 
York, and proceeding up the Hudson, unite with the North- 
ern army. The Southern division, commanded by Clin- 
ton, was destined to enter the southern states, by capturing 
Charleston. According to this division of the British ar- 
my, the vine on the chart, in the second year, is divided 
into three branches : that on the left denoting the northern 
army ; the branch in the middle the central department, 
and the one on the right, the southern. In the second 
year, also, the Declaration of American Independence 
was made, which is signified by the flag on the chart. 
Four varieties of leaves denote the four departments of 
territory which were the arena of the American Revolu- 
tion. The hemlock denotes Canada, the maple New Eng- 
land, the oak the middle, and the orange the southern 
colonies. The fruit signifies battles, and its color the re- 
sult of those battles. The yellow signifies that victory 
was in favor of Liberty ; black with light in the cen- 
ter, that the friends of Liberty were defeated, but not dis- 
couraged; and wholly black, that Liberty entirely lost the 
day. The abrupt termination of the left branch denotes 
that the northern army was obliterated at the date thus sig- 
nified. 

The general feature of the vine denotes that the war be- 
gan in the north ; then raged with gloomy and hazardous 
aspectin the middle states ; and lastly, that it rolled south 



THE VINE OF LIBERTY. 7 

ward, and finally resulted gloriously for the cause of liberty. 

The various colors of the border on the left denote, as 
the verses show, the characteristics of each of the seven 
years. The first is red, denoting of the first shedding of 
blood at Lexington. The second is black, denoting of the 
gloom of discouragement on account of the defeat on Long 
Island, the capture of New York, and the flight of Wash- 
ington and his vanquished army across New Jersey. The 
third is crimson, denoting that although a bright day dawn- 
ed on the cause of freedom, yet it was at the expense of 
the great effusion of blood on the field of Saratoga. The 
fourth is green, emblematical of the life of friendship, as 
in this year the alliance with France was concluded. The 
fifth signifies that the French alliance prematurely fell in- 
to the yellow leaf, and well nigh came to an end in this 
year. The sixth is blue, denoting faithfulness, as the 
Americans held on to their purpose through many discour- 
agements. The seventh is white, in token of triumph. 

Gates was commander-in-chief of the northern Ameri- 
can forces, which annihilated Burgoyne's army; Wash- 
ington, in person, commanded the central department. 
When Gates gained the renowned victory of Saratoga, his 
popularity rose exceedingly high. His friends made an 
attempt to place him at the head of the American Army 
by displacing W^ashington ; but in the spirit of their accus- 
tomed wisdom. Congress evaded this proposal by appoint- 
ing Gates to the command of the southern army. Here, in 
a bloody battle nea.r Camden, S. C, he was sorely de- 
feated ; and the hero of Saratoga, crest-fallen, now retired 
from the theatre of war. Green was appointed to suc- 
ceed him. Under this gallant commander fortune again 
emiled on the American cause. 



LEXINGTON 



In the Spring of 1775, tlie arrival of British troops in 
Boston had so increased their numbers, that the city 
was become little else than a military garrison. The 
political horizon became every day more and more 
lowering, and seemed but to wait the application of 
a spark to burst into an explosion of civil war. The 
Congress of Massachusetts had passed a resolution for 
the procuring of gunpoAvder and other warlike muni- 
tions, requisite for an army of fifteen thousand men ; and 
in anticipation of the British commander carrying hostile 
operations beyond the confines of Boston, a large number 
of men in the surrounding country were put under milita- 
ry organization, and called mirute-men. 

On the 18th of April, Dr. Joseph Warren, chairman 
of the Committee of Safety in Boston, had received intima- 
tion of the secret design of General Gage to send an armed 
force to Concord, for the jDurpose of destroying the provin- 
cial military stores there deposited, and^j^likewise to cap 
ture John Hancock and Samuel Adams, who were then 
in that town. Dr. Warren immediately sent messengers 
to alarm the country in ths direction of Lexington and 
Concord, and to give Hancock and Adams timely notice, 
that they might escape the meditated capture, while ho 
remained in Boston to watch the egress of the British troops, 



THE VINE OF LIBERTY. 9 

which was to take place on the night of the 18th. A sig- 
nal was lo be given to the country people, informing them 
by what route the British left the city. If they passed over 
Boston Neck, by way of Roxbury, one light was to be put 
on the steeple of the North Church in Boston ; but if they 
crossed the water, and proceeded through Cambridge, then 
two lights were to be displayed on the same steeple. 

Consequently, when night came on, the appointed 
lights sent their significant glare far over the country ; 
the minute-men, prompt to the call, gathered from all 
quarters, and hovered round the intruding and offensive 
troops. These, having passed through Cambridge, 
reached Lexington about the break of day. In the envi- 
rons of this village the Provincials were seen gathering, 
with the appearance of resistance. As the British troops 
approached. Major Pitcairne loudly exclaimed, ** Dis- 
perse, rebels ! lay down your arms, and disperse !" But 
the Provincials stirred not. He then rushed a few pa- 
ces in front of the rank^, and brandishing his sword, fired 
a pistol. Still the Provincials stood firm. He then or- 
dered his men to fire ? The Americans scattered, but 
«even of their number fell, mortally wounded. 

The British now pass through Lexington, and continue 
their march fur Concord. As they were seen approach- 
ing- this town on the one side, .John Hancock and Samuel 
Adams were still in view, making their escape on the oth- 
er. Thus did these illustrious patriots narrowly evade 
the grasp of their eager pursuers. 

And the red-coated soldiers rush through every street, 
and ransack every house; while on distant hills the Pro- 
vincials are again seen gathering. They hover nearer 
and nearer, and at length seize a bridge a little to 
1 



10 THEVINEOPLIBERTY. 

the north of the town. The king's troops were utterly 
astonished at the persevering boldness of these undisci- 
plined rebels. They had fired upon them, and still they 
rallied ! The light infantry is sent to drive them from 
the bridge, and hold them in check, while the remainder 
of the troops proceed to complete their intended work 
of destruction. They spike cannon, throw powder and 
bullets into wells, and scatter flour and other provisions 
in the streets. They then hastily commence a retreat ; 
perceiving which, the Provincials summon every nerve to 
the pursuit. 

As the royal troops take their march on the road to 
Lexington, from the cover tof every wood, hedge and 
stone fence, a continual fire is poured in upon them with 
most deadly aim. They rally and face about, but no en- 
emy is visible. Again they rush forward, and again the 
unseen rifle scatters death through their ranks. Thus 
harassed and bleeding at every step, they enter in confu- 
gion the town of Lexington. 

General Gage, apprehensive of some disaster, had sent 
a strong reinforcement, under Lord Percy, which, most 
opportunely for the retreating party, met them at Lexing- 
ton. It is thought by judges of military affairs, that had 
it not been for this timely aid, the entire force at first en- 
gaged must have been cut off'. The reinforcement 
brought with them two field-pieces, which being placed 
in the rear, repressed in some measure the the ardor of 
the assailants. This bloody pursuit, however, continued 
until the exhausted and bleeding troops of the king came 
rushing across Charlestown Neck, and took shelter under 
the cannon of their own ships of war which were lying 
in the Boston waters. The British troops on that day 



THE VINE OF LIBERTY. 



11 



had marchecl above thirty-five miles, and lost in kill 
ed, wounded, and missing, two hundred and seventy 
three men. The loss of the Provincials was eio;hty-eie:lit. 
Such was the commencement the of shedding of blood in 
the American Revolution. 




TI CON D E RO G A . 




Eight or ten day, 
after theaffuir at Lex- 
ington, some geiitle- 

Hv^^'^fl^^s^^^^^^jjp?! ^3^?^ r^ men, members of the 

Connecticut Assem- 
bly, then in session 
at Hartford, concert- 
ed a plan for captur- 
ing the fortress of 
Ticonderoga. This 
scheme was concoct- 
ed and carried out at 
private expense. Ed- 
ward Molte and Noah 
- Phelps v»ere sent towards lake 
Champlain, authorized to raise men, 
and immediately attempt the medita- 
ted capture. Tliese gentlemen col- 
""- lected fifteen men in Connecticut, with 
whom they immediately proceeded to Piltsfield, Mass., 
where they were joined by Col. Easton and Major John 
Brown, and thence proceeded to Bennington. Here they 
met the eccentric but dauntless Ethan Allen, who immedi- 



T II E VI N E OF L I B E RT Y. 13 

ately proffered his own and the services of his heroic 
Green Mountain Boys, to aid in the adventure. 

Something like a small army now being collected by 
the influence of these public-spirited individuals, they 
marched directly to Castleton. Here a council being 
held, with much promptness, Ethan Allen was chosen 
commander-in-chief of the expedition, Col. Easton sec- 
ond in command, and Seth Warner third. Just as they 
had completed their preparations to march for Shoreham, 
on the margin of the lake, opposite Ticonderogn, a very 
singular concurrence took place. This was nothing less 
than the arrival of Col. Arnold from Massachusetts, who 
had been sent out by the Committee of Safety in Boston, 
ignorant that a simultaneous and similar expedition wa3 
on the march from the colony of Connecticut. Arnold 
brought no men with him, having been engaged in Stock- 
bridge, raising soldiers for the expedition, when hearing 
of the movement now under the charge of Allen, he im- 
mediately hastened to unite himself with it. But a seri- 
ous difficulty arose, as to who should be commande?-in ■ 
chief, Allen or Arnold. The latter gentleman b(ddly 
demanded this honor for himself, as acting under the 
sanction of the paramount authorities at Boston. But 
when the rumor of this difficulty reached the ears of the 
men, they most peremptorily decided in favor of Allen. 
Arnold very prudently acquiesced, and agreed to accom- 
pany as a volunteer. 

A little before the dawn on the morning of May lOth, 
1775, Allen and his gallant New Englanders reached the 
shore of Champlain, opposite the renowned fortress of 
Ticonderoga. Col. Allen requested Mr. Beman, a farm- 
er who dwelt there, to pilot him across llie lake, and 



14 THEVINE OF LIBERTY. 

guide him into the fort.. Mr. B. declined the underta- 
king, at the same time telling the Colonel that his son Na- 
than, a lad (jf fifteen, would no doubt accede to his pro- 
posal ; adding, that Nathan was well acquainted with 
every nook and corner of the fortification, as he spent 
much of his time in the barracks sporting with the sol- 
diers. This description of Nathan exactly met the views 
of Allen, as being just the person lie wanted. Soon a 
long row of crowded boats, which had been collected by 
men sent in advance, were sweeping over the waters, and 
landing on^^the western shore of lake Champlain. Now 
with alacrity the soldiers leap upon the strand. They 
aie in)mediately drawn up in line by the commander-in 
chief, and pointed to the rough summits of Ticondero- 
ga, which, near at hand in mighty strength, seemed to 
frown down upon them. They advance, and appi'oach a 
gate opening into a covered way, which leads into the 
fortress. 

At this gate stood a sentinel, who snapped his musket 
at the assailants, and then fled under the covered way. 
They immediately followed, and found themselves on the 
parade-giound of the garrison. Here another sentinel 
made a pass at an officer with his bayonet ; Col, Allen re- 
turned him a blow on the head with his sword, when he 
threw down his arms and asked for quarter. Allen now 
demanded to be shown to the apartments of the com- 
mander of the garrison. Immediately he was ascending 
a flight of stairs, with Nathan Beman at iiis elbow, and 
thundering at the door, Captain Delaplace, rf)used from 
his slumbers, came forward and pettishly asked what waa 
wanted. '* I demand," said Allen, " ihe immediate sur- 
render of this fort." " In whose name do you make thia 



THE TINE OF LIBERTY. 15 

demanti 1" asked the captain. ** In the name of the 
great Jehovah and the Continental Congress !" replied 
Allen. Astounded at the singularity of the occurrence, 
Captain Delaplace began, in something of a formal man* 
ner, to question the legitimacy of this new and almost 
unheard of authority. Col. Allen cut sliort the argument 
by raising his sword over the captain's head, and boister- 
ously vociferating the demand for immediate surrender. 
Delaplace, finding it his only alternative, complied, and 
immediately ordered his men to parade without arms. 

Thus bhDodlessfell the stronghold of Ticonderoga, with 
a great number of cannon and military stores, together 
wilh thirty soldiers, into the hands of the Provincials. A 
few days afterwards. Crown Point was also taken without 
bloodshed, by a detachment under the command of Seth 
Warner. This was likewise a strong fortress, well sup- 
plied with munitions, and situated on the lake som« 
twelve or fifteen miles below Ticonderoga. 



BUNKER'S HILL. 



The two initiatory affairs of Lexington and Ticonde- 
roga having aroused the spirit of war in earnest, the 
Provincial Congress of Massachusetts assembled, and vo- 
ted to raise thirteen thousand men in that colony, to ren- 
dezvous at Cambridge. They also invited New Hamp- 
shire, Rhode Island, and Connecticut, to co-operate with 
them in raising an army for sustaining the general cause. 
These provinces responded to the call with promptitude, 
and forwarded each its quota of troojis. Now, upon that 
semi-circle of head-lands which environs Boston Bay, 
with its slopes, points, and emineuces, united by green 
valleys, and smiling in all the beauty of its summer garb, 
was spreau out the wings of our citizen aimy. General 
Ward was by the colony of Massachusetts placed at the 
head of the troops frt)m that province, and by a kind of 
general consent was considered commander-incliief of 
the whole army. There also was Putnam, Thomas, 
Pomeroy, and Stark, all conspicuous by their public 
spirit, patriotism, and courage. 

The British army in Boston amounted to ten thousand 
regular troops. Thus corjfronted, both armies seemed 
alike confident of success, and anxious for a trial. The 
British were naturally mortified at their condition as be- 
sieged. They looked with anxiety to the heights of 



THE VINE OF LIBERTY. 



17 




Charles town 
and Dorches- ^ ^-i; 
ter, and were 
forming mea- 
sures to occu- 
py then?, having tlecided to *, p^J" * ^ -"'*-- 
put these measures in foice 

the 18th of June. They regarded their opponents as 
rude, untaught and cowardly farmers, and were net- 
tled at being kept at bay by an army clothed in calico 
fjocks and carrying fowling-pieces. On the other hand, 
the Provincials, not feeling their lack of discipline as they 
should have done, burned to measure strength with their 
haughty opponents in the field of battle. It was conse- 
quently resolved, in session of the Committee of Safety, 
on the 15tb of June, to anticipate the enemy, and en- 
trench on Bunker's Hill. This resolution was kept a 
profound secret, and orders were privately communicated 
to Colonel Prescott to head a detachment of twelve hun- 



K 



18 THEVINE OP LIBERTY. 

dred men, selected from the several departments of the 
army, for the purpose of advancing and making a stand 
at Charles town. 

After sunset, on the 16th of June, 1775, were seen col- 
lecting a large body of soldiers on the green before the 
college buildings. After solemn prayer had been offered 
by Dr. Langdon, then President of the College, the men 
immediately filed off and took up their march along the 
road leading to Charlestown Neck. Two sergeants, car- 
rying dark lanterns, led the way. While all in silence 
moved on and approached the neck, a rumbling sound 
was heard on the left, and two heavily loaded wagons 
came on the road leading from Medford. These wagons 
fell in with the train, and it was ascertained that they 
were loaded with intrenching tools. This was the first 
initimation that most of the soldiers had of tlie business for 
which they were that night destined. Tliey approach the 
town of Cbarlestown, all silent and buried in slumb rs. 
It was a moonless night; the sky was clear, and the stars 
shone out brightly. The soldiers halt, and stand in si- 
lence. A few officers step forward and draw together, 
as if in earnest consultation, or rather debate. The hours 
of a short mid-summer night are fast rolling away ; still 
the discussion goes on. At length the clocks in Charles- 
town begin to tell the hour of midnight. Hearing this, 
Colonel Gridley, in something of an elevated voice, re- 
marked " Gentlemen, unless you come to an immediate 
decision, the precious time will have passed, and our 
whole scheme mast prove a failure." At that moment 
the tall iivTuro of Colonel Prescott was seen advancing a 
few steps, aT)d giving command : " Here place the first 
stake," and a redoubt of eight rods square was marked 



THEVINEOF LIBERTY. 19 

out on the summit of Breed's Hill, which was a lower 
swell of Bunker Hill. The intrenching tools were dis- 
tributed, the spade and the mattock were plunged into 
the fresh earth, and a wall of clay began to rise round 
that devoted spot. Prescott now led a guard through the 
streets of Charlestown to the water's edge. He thought 
it was impossible but that the laborers on the hill must 
be heard, for there lay the great ships of war on the still 
waters. But when he heard the sentinel on deck, pacing 
his nightly round, cry " all 's well," the Colonel remarked, 
** There is more need for our hands than for our ears," 
and led his men back, and set ihem to work on the in- 
trench ment. They toiled on through the hours of that 
short night; but short and few as those hours were, they 
were long enough for reflection. Those men that were 
spading up that fresh ea th hid firesides but a little way 
off, and they had wives and ciiildren there. They knew 
that before another sun should set, their own blood must 
moisten the earth their hands was loosening. They had 
time to reflect and strike the balance between their pub- 
lic rights and private joys ; and they resolved to fight. 
Deep was that resolve fixed that bore them through the 
terrible scenes of the ensuing day. 

Now the morning rays begin to sprinkle the dewy 
earth. The mantle of fog and mist is lifted a little, and 
the low wall of fresh earth around that mysterious forti- 
ficati.n appears beneath. The cannon of the five war 
ships in the Boston waters open with incessant explosions. 
The tens of thousands in Boston rouse from their slum- 
bers, and rush to view the scene. The sun rises and red- 
dens behind the rolling columns of sulphurous smoke. 

A council of war is held on the hill, in which it is re- 



20 THEVINEOFLIBERTV. 

solved that the hands that reared the breast-works during 
the night can defend them during the day. A council of 
war is also hela in Boston. The British determined that 
these impudent rebels must forthwith be driven from 
their lodgment. Now the hour of battle draws nigh. 
Men are seen beneath the curling smoke, galloping tu 
and from the hill. In Boston, every window, balcony, 
and steeple is transformed into a disc of faces. The 
burning mid-summer sun climbs the eastern sky. Can- 
non balls fall like a shower of rain around the devoted re- 
doubt. Then twenty-eight barges leave Long Wharf, in 
Boston, carrying the British armament. They sail across 
the waters ranged in two parallel lines. The bayonets 
and brass cannon glitter in the sun. They land ; martial 
music is struck up, and floating banners appear. The 
long files of red coats advance. The Americans crouch 
in silence behind their earthen rampart ; their hearts 
beat high, but their flints are picked ; they bend their 
eyes upon the fore-sight, and anon they bring the hind- 
sight to a level, and long to be permitted " to pull tricker,'' 
for they see the " varmint's eye." But their oflicers 
whisper, " Not yet." A few more short breaths, and 
" Fire," is the loud command. A glare of red lightning 
streams along that low earthen ridge, and the curling 
smoke hangs for a moment like a curtain of death be- 
tween the combatants ; then a breeze lifts it, and the front 
ra)iks of the British are sunk as if the earth had opened ; 
but not so, for they lie and bleed on her bosom. The red 
tide of life has crimsoned the green grass. The air is 
rent with yells, and screams, and curses, and prayers, and 
death-groans ! The whole British force vacillates as if on 
a point; the officers urge on the men, but urge in vain- 



THE VINE OF LIBERTY. 21 

A moment, and they fly in swift retreat. Then the 
crouching Yankee soldier straightens himself, and his long. 
loud hurra is responded to by one longer and louder from 
all the windows, balconies and steeples in Boston. 

But the limits assigned to this little work will not ad- 
mit of a full description of this battle scene. A second 
charge was immediately made by the British, but with 
no better success than the first ; and during the second 
attack they set fire to Charlestown. This conflagration 
added greatly to the terror and sublimity of the scene, 
The Americans, after the second victory, found their 
ammunition exhausted ; yet they stood their ground and 
most heroically awaited the onset. Many of them had 
no means of defence, except the butts of their guns. Af- 
ter making a stout resistance, they retreated slowly and 
in good order, feeling that while they left that bloody 
spot to the enemy, they themselves, substantially bore off 
the palm of victory. The British lost in killed and 
wounded 1500 men ; the Americans but 450. 



THE EXPEDITION TO CANADA. 



Lexington, Ticonderoga, and Bunker's Hill, had each 
lightened the American spirit of a portion of that burden 
of uncertainty, suspense, and anxiety, which at first 
weighed on the hearts of the colonists, in view of measur- 
ing strength with the mother country, in the field of bat- 
tle. They had been branded as cowards, and though they 
felt this to be false, yet while they could not prove it to 
be so by experiment, the charge was annoying. Wash' 
ington, having been appointed commander-in chief of the 
American army, had arrived at Boston. The councils o^ 
both state and war began to assume more of system. The 
great military thoroughfare leading into the most vulnera- 
ble part of the colonies was that by the St. Lawrence and 
the Champlain waters. The fortresses guarding this 
route were known to be weakly garrisoned. To gain the 
Canadians over to the cause of revolution was likewise 
an object. Against considerable opposition of opinion in 
the American council, it was at length resolved to carry 
on an offensive expedition against the British authorities 
and forces in Canada. 

Philip Schuyler, of Albany, had been appointed Major 
(jreneral, by the second Continental Congress, and placed 
at the head of the northern department of the American 
army. The plan adopted for invading Canada was by 



THEVIN EOF LIBERTY. 23 

two routes, first by lake Champlain and the river Sorel ; 
and secondly, by the Kennebec, across the mountain wil 
derness of Maine. An army of three thousand men were 
to operate on the former route, and another of one thou- 
sand on the latter. Major General Schuyler was com- 
mander-in-chief of the whole expedition ; while to the first 
of these armaments. Brigadier General Montgomery was 
assigned, and to the second, Brigadier General Arnold. 
On the 26th of August, General Montgomery took his 
departure from Crown Point, and on the fifth of Septem- 
ber arrived at Tsle au Noix, situated at the entrance of the 
waters of the lake into the river Sorel. Major General 
Schuyler arrived on the same day, and preparations were 
immediately made for besieging the fortress of St. John. 
After a few days, General Schuyler having become sick, 
returned to Albany, where he remained the rest of the 
campaign. 



ST. JOHN'S. 

General Montgomery now being left in command of the 
military operations in this quarter, immediately marched 
against St. John's. Being but illy supplied with ammu- 
nition and military equipments, his progress was slow ; 
meanwhile, he sent Colonel Allen, the hero of Ticon- 
deroga, with a party of eighty men, to negotiate with a 
tribe of Indians in that region. Allen, having accom- 
plished his mission, was returning, when he met Major 
Brown with a small party of men, who bad been ranging 
the country on a tour of observation. These chivalrous 



24 THE VINE OF LIBERTY. 

characters, with more bravery than prudence, concocted 
a scheme to unite their forces and march immediately to 
the attack of Montreal. Accordingly, when they arrived 
at that town, which is situated on an island in the St. 
Lawrence, they made an agreement to cross the river si- 
multaneously at opposite points, thus dividing the atten- 
tion of tlie defenders, and to take the town by suprise. 
But some event occurred to prevent Brown's cross- 
ing at the time appointed. When. Allen reached the 
destined shore, he found no aid at hand from his col- 
league ; but never having known fear, he rashly at- 
tempted to maintain his ground. But Governor Carleton, 
perceiving his weakness, marched out against him with 
several hundred men. Being overpowered, the redoubt- 
able chief and all his men were captured. Carleton re- 
fusing to treat him as a prisoner of war, loaded him with 
chains and sent him to England. 

The next feat performed by the Americans during the 
siege of St. John's was the capture of Chambie, a place 
feebly guarded, and situated a few miles below St. John's. 
Some artillery and one hundred and twenty barrels of 
gunpowder were obtained. This acquisition enabled Mont- 
gomery to prosecute the siege of St. John's with greater 
vigor. Governor Carleton, hearing of the critical situa- 
tion of the troops in the besieged garrison, attempted to 
send a detachment to their relief. As this armament en- 
deavored to cross the St. Lawrence atLonguei], near the 
mouth of the Sorel, they were defeated, and abandoned 
their object. 

When the news of th's relapse reached Montgomery, 
he sent a flag to Major Preston, who commanded the be- 
sieged fortress, summoning him to surrender, as all hope 



THE VINE OF LIBERTY. 



of relief was cut off by Carleton's repulse, and further 
resistance could only lead to useless destruction of lives 
The fortress was accordingly surrendered, on the third of 
November, and soon entered by the American troops. 



MONTREAL. 

GvERNOR Carleton nowabandoned Montreal to its fate, 
and made his escape down the river during the night, in 
a small canoe, with muffled oars. The next day General 
Montgomery, after engaging to allow the inhabitants their 
own laws, the free exercise of their religion, and the privi- 
lege of governing themselves, entered the town. This be- 
nevolent conduct induced many to join his standard, yet 
some of his oAvn army deserted on account of the severity 
of the climate ; and many whose time of enlistment had 
exj^ired, insisted on returning home. 



QUEBEC. 

At the time the events were transpiring of which we have 
just given an account, Arnold, at the head of the other de- 
partment of the expedition, was making his world-renowned 
passage through the wilderness of Maine. With about 
eleven hundred men, he marched from Cambridge to New- 
buryport, where they embarked on eleven transports, and 
sailed for the Kennebec, September 18th, 1775. Having a 



26 tHE VINE OF LIBERTY. 

safe passage, they entered the mouth of the Kennebec 
sailed up that river without material difficulty, and arrived 
at the town of Gardiner, This being the termination of 
ship navigation, the army and its appendages were trans- 
ported in two hundred batteaux prepared for the purpose. 
The difficulties that now commenced are succinctly stated 
in the following paragraph. 

Eleven hundred men, with arms, ammunition, and all 
the apparatus of war, burdened with provisions for their 
sustenance, and clothing to protect them from the inclem- 
encies of ihe weather, were to pass through a region unin- 
habited, wild and desolate ; forcing their batteaux against 
a strong current, and carrying them and their contents on 
their own shoulders, around raj^ids and cataracts, over 
craggy precipices, and through morasses, till they should 
reach the French settlements on the Canada frontier, a dis- 
tance of more than two hundred miles. With incon- 
ceivable toil and suffisring, they at length reached the 
summit. Every relic of food was now consumed, and 
they were still thirty miles from any human habitation. 
Ever animated by the presence of their commander, he 
himself so incomparable for endurance, they summoned the 
last energies of nature, and pushed forward. Descending 
the Chaudiere, they reached the French settlements, ajad 
found a termination to their incredible sufferings. 

On the 9th of November, they arrived at Point Levi, 
opposite Quebec. The people of that city were struck with 
almost as much surprise as if beings from anot er world 
had there made a descent, when they beheld this haggard 
army emerge from the wilderness. Could Arnold have 
immediately passed the river while the panic prevailed, 
there is no doubt but the city would have fallen into his 



THEVINEOFLIBERTY. 27 

hands. But the weather was unpropitious, and the authori- 
ties in Quebec had, by some means, received sufficient 
warning to remove the boats to the opposite shore, so that 
it was severa,! days before Arnold could attempt a pas- 
sage. This at length he undertook in the night, and with 
about five hundred men gained the opposite bank of the 
river, and ascended the rocky precipice, at the same place 
where Wolf and his gallant followers, many .years before, 
had climbed. 

But of this attempt of Arnold to surprise the city, 
the British had received timely notice, and were prepared 
to meet him. When day dawned, Arnold drew up his 
little band on the heights of Abraham, and approaching 
near the walls, gave three cheers, but was answered by a 
shower of cannon balls, which compelled him to retreat, 
and abandon the enterprise for that time. He retired about 
twenty miles up the river, to wait at a place called Point 
aux Trembles, for the arrival of Montgomery. 

On the 4th of December, General Montgomery made 
his appearance ; but he brought with him only the sha- 
dow of an army, his force being reduced to three hundred 
men. Unutlerable were the tenderness and satisfac- 
tion, with which these two heroic Grenerals met. After 
distributinof some woolen clothes and other much needed 
comfort among the men ; they immediately proceeded to 
take a position before Quebec. 

After some exneriments had been made and a council 
of war held, it was determined to attempt the city by a 
" coup demam." It was resolved to make an attack by 
night, and upon the lower town. According to this ar- 
rangement, the movement began between three and four 



28 THEVINEOFLIBERTY. 

o'clock in the morning, from the hights of Abraham. Two 
columns advanced upon the lower town for the purpose 
of real attack, headed by Montgomery and Arnold, while 
a series of demonstrations or feigned attacks were to be 
made upon the upper town. Amidst a terrible snow- 
storm, the columns took up their fearful march. Mont- 
gomery led his department along the road, lying upon 
the river's edge. The obstructions made by the snow 
were increased by vast blocks of ice, heaped up from the 
river. Montgomery, with his own hands, aided in mak- 
ing a path through the snow and ice, and lead the way ; 
his men one by one scrambled after. At length they 
reached the first barrier, which was vigorously attacked and 
speedily carried. A moment was now employed in ex- 
citing the soldiers. " Men of New York," exclaimed 
Montgomery, *' you will not fear to follow where your 
general leads." At that instant a British soldier returned 
to a loaded cannon that had been abandoned, and touch- 
ng it with a match, it discharged, and struck Genera} 
Montgomery dead on the spot. His men pushed their 
fearful labor no further. General Arnold about the same 
time received a severe wound, and was borne out of the ac- 
tion. Colonel Morgan succeeded to the command of Ar- 
nold's department, and prosecuted the assault with un- 
told courage, until he and the men he heroically led on 
were overwhelmed and all captured. 



CONCLUDING EVENTS OF THE CANADA 
EXPEDITION. 



The first year of tlie war closed witli the death of 
Montgomery, and failure of the attempt upon Quebec. 
After this defeat, Arnold, wounded as he was, retired 
with the remainder of the army to the distance of about 
three miles, where he passed the rigors of a Canada win- 
ter, under most terrible privations and sufferings. He 
also reduced the city to very straitened circumstances, by 
cutting off the supplies of provisions and otherwise har- 
rassing it. In the spring, Congress sent General Thomas 
from Boston, to succeed Arnold in command. This offi- 
cer deemed it proper to make one more attempt to re- 
duce Quebec, before abandoning it. But this likewise 
proved a failure. The river being clear of ice, the British 
fleet now came in sight, bringing reinforcement to the gar- 
rison. General Thomas was neccssiated hastily to re- 
treat, having much baggage and many sick and A\^ounded. 
which fell into the hands of the enemy. 

The Americans continued their retreat to the river Sorel, 
where they met General Thomi>6on with reinforcements. 
Here General Thomas was attacked by the small pox, of 
Wiiich he died, and the command devolve^ upon Ge- 
neral Sullivan. Adverse fortune now seemed to pursue 
the Americans. A garrison of about four hundred men 

3 



30 THEVINE OP LIBERTY. 

at the Cedars on the river above Montreal, fell into thts 
hands of the enemy, through the cowardice of Colonel Be 
del. The arrival of British troops had now augmented 
the numbers of the enemy to^about 13,000, They had 
made a place of rendezvous at Three Rivers, a village 
half way between Quebec and Montreal. 

General Sullivan detached General Thompson with two 
hundred men, to attack the British at Three Rivers. But 
failing to reach his destination under cover of night, he 
was defeated and captured, with all his men. The whole 
American forces now retreated over lake Champlain, leav- 
ing all to the possession of a victorious enemy, and ar- 
rived at the post of Crown Point on the 15th of June, 
1776. 



EVACUATION OF BOSTON 



General Washington, who had taken command of the 
American array at Boston, soon after the battle of Bun- 
ker's Hill, had continued the blockade of that city. At 
length it was resolved to bring the «nemy to action, or to 
drive them from the town. Accordingly on the night of 
the fourth of March, 1*776, General Thomas was put at the 
head of a detachment, and silently crossed the neck of 
land which separates Dorchester hights from the main 
land, and constructed a redoubt, which commanded the 
hights and threatened the British shipping. Gen. Howe* 
by the first light of morning, discovered the advantage 
which the Americans had gained, perceived that there 
was no .alternative left, but either to dislodge them or 
to evacuate the town. A few regiments were imme- 
diately dispatched to attempt the former, but a violent 
storm of wind and rain prevented their crossing. The 
Americans meanwhile continued to strengthen their 
works, until they were too secure to be easily forced* 
A council of war was then held by the British in which 
it was determined to evacuate the town. On the morn- 
ing of the seventeenth, the whole English army together 
with their royalist friends who chose to follow their for- 
tunes, sailed for Halifax. As the rear of the British 
troops were embarking. Gen. Washington, leading the 
American army, entered the city in triumph. 



CHARLESTON 



Among the momentous results that followed the nume- 
rous transactions of the first year of the war, one, not the 
least in importance, was that Great Britain had learned 
that the Americans were not cowards. This conviction 
and change of sentiment in the English government, pro- 
duced a corresponding change of measures. Instead of 
sending a few regulars to our shores to shake their ram- 
rods and rattle their cartouch boxes at a flock of ragged 
Yankees, and frighten them all into the woods, and thus 
forever crush the rebellion, they how believed it necessa- 
ry to meet the case with a vast and well organized 
military force. A force was deemed needful, larger than 
the British nation was capable of furnishing, of native 
troops. They consequently hired a large number of mer- 
cenaries from the German powers. It was intend^! that 
this armament should consist of fifty thousand men, and 
be prepared to embark for the American coasts early in 
the year, 1776. This invading force was to be divided 
into three grand departments. The first under the com- 
mand of General B.urgoyne to penetrate the American 
territory in the north, the second under General and 
Admiral Howe to invade the middle colonies ; and the 
third under General Clinton and Sir Peter Parker to at- 
tack the south. The Americans on their part as evidence 



THEYINEOF LIBERTY. 33 

how much they were frightened by all this gathering 
tempest, displayed for the first time the flag of the *' stars 
and stripes," and spread before an on-loooking world and 
high heaven, their immortal Declaration of Indepenc- 
ence. Thus did both sides cast the gauntlet, while the 
cloud of war hung blackening and ready to burst upon 
the heads of • our forefathers. Charleston the capital of 
South Carolina, was destined to feel the first regular 
effort of this formidable military force, prepared at great 
cost by Great Britain to crush the liberties of her colo- 
nies. The following account of the battle at Fort Moul- 
trie, is given by that superior historian, Mrs. Willard. 

" In the beginning of June, the British fleet under Sir 
Peter Parker, came to anchor in the harbor of Charleston, 
where it was joined by Gov. Clinton who had been wait- 
ing its arrival at Cape Fear. Fortunately, an official let- 
ter had been intercepted, early in the year, announcing 
the departure of this armament for England, and its desti- 
nation against the southern states. This gave the colo- 
nists an opportunity to be prepared for its reception. Sul-r 
livan's Island at the entrance of Charleston harbor, had 
been strengthened, and a fort constructed with the pal- 
metto tree, which resembles very much the cork. On 
learning the near approach of the enemy, the militia of 
the country were summoned to defend the capital. The 
popularity of Gen. Lee, the commander soon collected a 
force of five or six thousand men, and his high military 
reputation gave confidence to the citizens as well as to 
the soldiers. Under him were Colonels, Gadsden, Moul- 
trie, aud Thompson. Colonel Gadsden commanded a 
regiment stationed on the northern extremity of James* 
Island, two regiments under Colonels, Moultrie and 
3* 



34 THEVINEOPLIBERTr. 

Thompson occupied the extremity of Sullivan's Island 
The remainder of the troops were posted at various 
places. 

•* General Clinton landed a number of his troops on 
Long Island, separated from Sullivan's Island on the east- 
ern side by a small creek. The fort on Sullivan's Island 
was garrisoned by about 400 men commanded by Colonel 
Moultrie. The attack on this fcrt commenced on the 
mornng of the 28th of June. The ships opened their seve- 
ral broadsides, upon it ; and a detachment was landed on 
an adjoining island, and directed to pass over where the 
sea was fordable and attack it in the rear. The discharge 
of artillery npon this little fort was incessant ; but Moul- 
trie and his brave Carolinians returned the fire with such 
skill and spirit, that many of the ships suffered severely, 
and the British, after persisting in their attack until dark, 
were repulsed and forced to abandon the enterprise. 
Their loss amounted to about two hundred, that of the 
Americans to twenty." 



BATTLE OF LONGISLAND. 



The first year of the war, with its successful and ad- 
verse fortunes, served to elicit the energies of the Ame- 
ricans and teach them confidence in themselves; the se- 
cond, with its terrible disasters, was perhaps not less 
useful, in teaching them, that not courage alone, but dis- 
cipline also, was indispensible in the day of regular battle. 
Besides, the second was a gloomy school, in which the 
Americans took deep lessons in the grace of perseverance 
under affliction. 

General Howe arrived at Staten Island on the 10th of 
June, but it was not until the 26th of August that he 
commenced active operations by an attack on Long 
Island, on the western part of which, a respectable force 
of Americans commanded by General Sullivan, occupied 
an intrenched camp. Their position was protected in 
front by a range of hills stretching across the Island from 
the Narrows (a strait which separates it from Staten Is- 
land,) to the town of Jamaica situated on the southern 
coast. Over the hills in question passed three defensible 
roads, each of which was guarded by eight hundred men. 
The pass by the Narrows was attacked and carried by 
General Grant ; the second road by Flatbush was cleared 
by General De Heister, in retreating before whom 
the Americans were encountered by General Clinton, 



36 THEVINEOFLIBERTY. 

who with the right wing of the British army had made a 
detour by Jamaica. Thus the provincials were driven 
into their lines with the loss of upwards of one thousand 
men, while the British loss did not amount to more than 
four hundred and fifty. During the engagement Wash, 
ington had sent strong reinforcemts into Long Island and 
at its close he repaired thither in person, with the great- 
er part of his army. This movement had nearly occa- 
sioned his ruin. He soon found himself cooped up in a 
corner with a superior force in front, prepared to attack 
his works, which were untenable. In these circumstan- 
ces his only safety lay in retreat. It was a difficult 
operation to convey a whole army across the ferry in 
presence of an enemy, whose working parties could be 
heard by his sentries. But favored by the darkness of the 
night and by a fog which arose in the morning, he trans- 
ported the whole of his forces to New York, leaving no- 
thing behind him but some heavy cannon. 



WHITE PLAINS. 



On the 15tb of September, General Howe effected a 
landing on the Island of New York, and compelled 
Washington to evacuate the city and retire to the north 
end of the island. On the I6th, a considerable body of 
British troops appeared in the plain between the two ar- 
mies. Washington ordered Colonel Knowlton and Major 
Leach with a detachment to get into the rear while he 
amused them with preparations to attack them in front. 
The plan succeeded, and although Colonel Knowlton was 
killed, the rencontre was favorable to the Americans, par- 
ticularly as it served in some degree to restore that con- 
fidence in themselves, which their preceding misfortunes 
had destroyed. 

The British commander manoevured with great address 
to bring Washington to a general engagement; but fail- 
ing of this, he endeavored to destroy the communication 
with the eastern states, and cut off his supply ©f provi- 
sions from that quarter. To effect this, it was necessary 
to occupy the two roads leading east. The one on the 
coast they secured with little difficulty ; but to occupy the 
more inland road, it was necessary to get possession of 
that part of the Highlands called White Plains. Wash- 
ington, aware of their object, removed his own force to 
that place, where, on the 28th of October, he was attacked 



38 THEVINEOPLIBERTY. 

by the British and Hessians under Generals Howe, Clin- 
ton, Knyphausen, and De Heister. A partial engage- 
ment ensued in which the loss on both sides was conside- 
rable. In this engagement Washington had the advan- 
tage of having his army partially intrenched, and the 
main part of his troops had not been fairly engaged in 
the contest, when night came on and caused it to cease. 
The combatants encamped in sight of each other. Dur- 
ing the night, Washington took the opportunity to 
strengthen his works expecting a renewal of t'le battle 
in the morning. When daylight came, Howe reconnoi- 
tered the position of his enemy, and thought it prudent 
not to bring on the engagement, until he received rein- 
forcements. On the succeeding night, Washington broke 
up his camp, moved higher up the Hudson, and finally 
crossed over to the west side of the river. General Howe 
perceiving that his enemy declined an engagement, dis- 
continued the pursuit, and turned his attention to the re- 
duction of Fort Washington, on the island of New York. 



TRENTON AND PRINCETON. 



General Howe attacked and took Fort Washington* 
in which he made two thousand seven hundred men pris- 
oners, at the cost, however, of one thousand two hundred 
men on his side killed and wounded. Fort Lee was 
shortly after evacuated by its garrrison, and taken pos- 
session of by Lord Cornwallis. Following up his suc- 
cess, General Howe pursued the flying Americans to 
Newark, and from Newark to New Brunswick, and from 
New Brunswick successively to Princeton and Trenton, 
till at length he drove them to the Pennsylvania side of 
the Delaware. Nothing could exceed the distress which 
the American army suffered during this retreat through 
the Jerseys. They were destitute of blankets and shoes, 
and their clothing was reduced to rags. They were cold- 
ly looked upon by the inhabitants, who gave up the cause 
of America for lost, and hastened to make their peace \vith 
the victors. Had General Howe been able to maintain 
his discipline in his army, Jersey would have been sev- 
ered from the Union. But fortunately for the interests of 
Congress, his troops indulged in all the excesses of mili- 
tary violence, and irritated the inhabitants of the country 
to such a degree, that their new-born loyalty was speedily 
extinct,and all their thoughts were bent upon revenge. 
On the arrival of Washington at the Delaware, his 



40 THEVINEOFLIBERTY. 

troops had dwindled down to the number of three thou- 
«and ; but having received some reinforcements of Penn- 
sylvania militia, he determined to endeavor to retrieve his 
fortune by a decisive stroke. The British troops were 
cantoned in Burlington, Bordentown, and Trenton, wait- 
ing for the formation of the ice to cross into Pennsylvania. 
Understanding that in the confidence produced by a series 
of successes they were by no means vigilant, Washington 
conceived the possibility of taking them by surprise. He 
accordingly, on the evening of Christmas day, conveyed 
the main body of his army over the Delaware, and falling 
upon the troops quartered in Trenton, killed and captured 
about nine hundred of them, then re-crossed to Pennsyl- 
vania with his prisoners. On the 28th of December he 
again took possession of Trenton, w^here he was soon 
encountered by a superior force of British, who drove in 
his advanced parties, and entered the town in the evening, 
with the intention of giving him battle the next day. The 
two armies were separated only by a narrow creek, which 
runs through the town. In such a position it would seem 
impossible that any movement by the one or the other could 
pass unobserved. But in the darkness of the night, Wash- 
ington, leaving his fires lighted and a few guards to attract 
the attention of the enemy, quitted his encampment, and 
crossing a bridge over the creek, which had been 
left unguarded, directed his march to Princeton, where, in 
a short but brisk engagement, he killed sixty of the Brit- 
ish, and took three hundred prisoners. The rest were 
dispersed, and fled in different directions. 

Great was the surprise of Lord Cornwallis, who com- 
manded the British army at Trenton, when the report of 
the artillery at Princeton, which he at first mistook for 



THE VINE OP LIBERTY. 41 

thunder, and the arrival of breathless messengers, apprised 
him that the enemy was in his rear. Alarmed by the dan- 
ger of his position, he commenced a retreat ; and being 
harassed by the militia and the countrymen who had suf- 
fered from the outrages perpetrated by his troops on their 
advance, he did not deem himself in safety till he arrived 
at Brunswick, from whence, by means of the Raritan, he 
had a communication with New- York. 

This splendid success inspired the Americans with re- 
newed sj)irits. Recruits were readily raised for their 
army, which took up its winter quarters at Morristown. 



BURGOYNE'S EXPEDITION. 



General Burgoyne arrived at Quebec on tlie 6th of 

May, 1777, and immediately putting- himself at the head 
of his army, proceeded up lake Champlain to Crown 
Point. After collecting a large body of Indian allies, he 
directed his march toward Ticonderoga. General St- 
Clair, who was commander of this fortress, called a coun- 
cil of war, and for want of sufficient supplies of men and 
munitions, it was resolved to evacuate the fort. The 
Americans retreated by two routes, the one by way of 
Hubbardton, the other proceeding up lake Champlain in a 
flotilla. The latter of these was pursued, overtaken, and 
routed, by Burgoyne himself. 



BATTLE OF HUBBARDTON. 

The other division had proceeded as far as Hubbard- 
ton, where they halted to refresh themselves and rally the 
dispersed. But the English were not idle. General Fra- 
zer, at the head of a strong detachment of grenadiers and 
light troops, commenced an eager pursuit by land, upon 
the right bank of Wood Creek. General Reidesel behind 
him, rapidly advanced with his Brunswickers, either to 
support the English, or to act separately, as occasion might 



THE VINE OF LIBERTY. 43 

require. At five o'clock on the morning of the 7th of July, 
the English column under General Frazer made its ap- 
pearance. The Americans were strongly fortified, and 
appeared disposed to defend themselves. Frazer, though 
inferior in point of numbers, had great confidence in the 
valor of his troops. He also expected every moment to 
be joined by General Reidesel, and being apprehensive 
that the enemy might escape if he delayed, he ordered 
the attack immediately. The battle was long and san- 
guinary. The Americans, being commanded by valiant 
officers, behaved with great spirit and firmness, but the 
English displayed an equal obstinacy. After several 
shocks with alternate success, the latter began to fall back 
in disorder. Their leaders rallied them ane"w, and led 
them to a furious charge with the bayonet, which shook 
the Americans by its impetuosity. At tliis critical mo- 
ment G eneral Reidesel arrived at the head of his column, 
composed of light troops and some grenadiers. He im- 
mediately took part in the action. The Americans, over- 
powered by numbers, fled on all sides, leaving their brave 
commander, with many other officers and upwards of 
two hundred soldiers, dead on the field. About the same 
number, besides Colonel Hale and seventeen officers of in- 
ferior rank, were made prisoners. Above six hundred 
were supposed to be wounded, many of whom, deprived 
of all succor, perished miserably in the woods. The 
loss of the royal troops in killed and wounded amounted 
to about one hundred and eighty. 



BENNINGTON. 



The whole American forces in this quarter were, at 
this time, defeated and miserably scattered before their 
pursuers. They were at length driven from every post 
on lakes Champlain and George. General Schuyler, 
with all his energies, endeavored to succor his despond- 
ing army. He rallied and collected them at Fort Ed- 
ward, on the Hudson. He sent parties to obstruct the 
road, along which Burgoyne was to march. This he did by 
felling immense trees across the road, leading through a 
desolate wilderness, between Fort Ann and Fort Ed- 
ward. These and many other difficulties caused so much 
waste of time, that the British army began to be strait- 
ened for want of provisions. General Burgoyne therefore 
dispatched Colonel Baum, with five hundred men, to the 
town of Bennington, where he understood the Provincials 
had collected large stores. 

The Americans, who stood upon their guard at Ben- 
nington, were seasonably informed of his approach. Col- 
onel Stark, who had lately arrived with a corps of New- 
Hampshire militia, commanded in that town. He sent 
with all speed to request Colonel Warner, who, since the 
defeat of Hubbardton, had taken post at Manchester, to 
march to his assistance. These troops, together with some 
of the neighboring militia, amounted to about two thou- 



THETINEOFLIBERTY. 45 

«aiid men. Upon intelligence that the enemy approached, 
Colonel Stark detached Colonel Gregg upon the lookout, 
supposing at first that it might be only a party of savages, 
who were scouring the country. When he had discovered 
that they were regular troops, he fell back to the principal 
position at Bennington. Lieutenant Colonel Baum, on his 
part, having learned that the enemy were too strong to 
be attacked by his present force without temerity, sent 
immediately to Colonel Breyman, who was bringing on a 
reserve, apprising him of his situation and pressing him to 
hasten to his succor. In the meantime he took an excel- 
lent post about four miles from Bennington, and there 
intrenched himself. 

But Stark, not choosing to v/ait for the junction of the 
two parties, determined to attack him. Accordingly, on 
the morning of the 16th, he issued from Bennington, and 
advanced with his troops divided into several corps, in 
order to surround the posts of Baum, and attack him on 
all sides at once. The latter, on seeing the Americans 
approach, persuaded himself that they were bodies of loy- 
alists coming to join him. Having at length discovered 
his error, he defended himself with great valor. But such 
was the impetuosity, and even the superiority of the 
Americans, that he could not resist them long ; having 
carried all before them, and taken his two pieces of can- 
non, they poured on every side into his intrenchrnents. 
The savages, Canadians, and British marksmen, profiting 
by their activity, escaped into the woods. The German 
dragoons still kept together, and when their ammunition 
was expended, were bravely led by their commander to 
charge with their swords. But they were soon over- 

4* 



46 THEVINEOFLIBERTY. 

whelmed, and the survivors, among w^hom was their 
wounded Colonel, were made prisoners. 

Soon after, Colonel Breyman, not aware of the fate of 
his companions, came up with the reinforcement. An- 
other sharp conflict ensued, but he also was speedily 
routed, with great loss of arms and men. The whole loss 
of the British was seven hundred men, most of whom 
were made prisoners ; also much baggage fell into the 
hands of the victors. This battle served greatly to re- 
vive the spirit of the Americans. 



SARATOGA. 

Four circumstances concurred to change the tide of 
victory during the Saratoga campaign. The success of the 
Americans at Bennington restored their confidence in their 
own ability to contend with regular troops of the enemy 
in open field battle. This also broke the continued chain 
of victories that had attended Burgoyne's career. The 
second circumstance was the appointment of Gates to 
succeed Schuyler in command. General Schuyler, al- 
though popular with the people of his own colony, that 
of New- York, was not so in New England. Although 
the deepest gloom had hung over the American arras 
under Schuyler, yet at the period of his being displaced a 
brighter day was beginning to dawn. He bitterly com- 
plained to Washington that the course of his fortune was 
interrupted, and that the fruit of his toils was given to an- 
other, who was about to enjoy that victory for which he 
had prepared the way. Nevertheless, Schuyler, like a 



THEVINE OF LIBERTY. 47 

good citizen as he was, did not slacken his hand in aiding 
the cause in every way now left in his power. But the 
unquestionable military talents and universal popularity 
of Gates enkindled anew the ardor of his countrymen, 
and they flocked to his standard in great numbers. The 
third cause that excited a reaction in favor of the Ameri- 
cans was the tragical fate of Miss McCrea ; and the fourth 
was the failure of the expedition under Colonel St. Leger. 
This officer commanded a department of British troops, 
destined to co-operate with the army of Burgoyne, by 
marching from the country of lake Ontario, and reach- 
ing the Hudson by way of the valley of the Mohawk. On 
this route was situated a strong American fortification 
called Fort Stanwix, otherwise Fort Schuyler. While 
Gansevoort, the commander of this fort, was besieged by 
St. Leger, General Herkimer, in marching a considera- 
ble force for its relief, was ambushed by a detachment of 
British and Indians from the besiegers. Herkimer was 
killed, and his party defeated. News of this disaster hav- 
ing, reached the Hudson, Schuyler dispatched Arnold, 
with a strong force, for the succor of Fort Stanwix. The 
news of the approach of this American lion in war, struck 
the besiegers with such terror, that they did not await his 
arrival, but raised the siege, and precipitately fled 
back in the direction of lake Ontario. Thus Burgoyne 
was cut short in his hopes of a junction with St. Leger, 
while the Americans were relieved from fears of disaster 
in that quarter, and greatly animated by the manner in 
which the affair had resulted. 

Burgoyne, not without some incipient apprehensions of 
adverse fortune, determined to transfer his army from 
Fort Edward to the right bank of the Hudson, and thus 



48 THEVINEOFLIBERTY. 

proceed to Albany. Meanwhile, Gates, whose army bad 
been daily augmenting, quitted his camp near the mouth of 
the Mohawk, and advancing up the river, also on the right 
bank, took a position at Stillwater, within three miles of 
the army of Burgoyne. It now became evident that a 
pitched battle must ensue. Officers of the highest mili- 
tary talent and reputation commanded in both armies. 
Everything was now at stake, with one as well as with 
the other army. The ground was level for about half 
a mile from the river, and then gently ascended into hills. 
On the 19th of September the two armies were drawn up 
confronting each other in battle array. 'J'he following 
was the disposition of the battle. The English right 
wing rested upon some high grounds, which rise gradu- 
ally from the river ; it was flanked by the grenadiers and 
light infantry, who occupied the hills. At some distance 
in front and upon the side of these were posted the In- 
dians, Canadians and loyalists, who had still remained in 
the camp. ■ The left wing and artillery, under Generals 
Philips and Reidesel, kept along the great road and mea- 
dows by the river side. The American army drew up 
in the same order, from the Hudson to the hills. Gates 
had taken the right, and given the left to Arnold. Smart 
skirmishes immediately ensued between the forenaost 
marksmen of either army. Morgan, with his light-horse, 
and Colonel Durbin, with his light infantry, had attacked 
and routed the Canadians and savages, but the latter 
having been supported, they were both in their turn com- 
pelled to resume their place in the line. Meanwhile Bur- 
goyne, either intending to turn the left flank of the Ame- 
ricans, or wishing to avoid them by passing higher up the 
hollows of the torrents which fall into the Hudson, ex- 



THE VINE OF LIBERTY. 49 

tended his right wing upon the heights, in order to fall 
upon Arnold in flank and rear. 

But Arnold was at the same time endeavoring to exe- 
ecute a similar manceuvre upon him, while neither of 
them was able, on account of the woods, to perceive the 
movements of his enemy. 

The two parties met. General Frazer repulsed the 
Americans, and in his turn was driven back. Thus, with 
alternate success, the day of that dreadful battle proceeded. 
The main bodies of the two armies did not come into 
close conflict, but were continually occupied in sending 
succor to their respective parties on the hills. Thus the 
bloody encounter continued, without any decisive advan- 
tage, till night separated the combatants. Each claimed 
the victory. The English encamped on the battle ground. 
The Americans retired a little in the rear; but they were 
greatly the gainers in spirit, as they had stood the shock 
of this boasted regular army. The British had lost in 
killed and wounded about five hundred ; the other side 
not more than three hundred. But now circumstances 
of the most serious difficulty began to gather round the 
condition of Burgoyne. If he could not proceed, destruc- 
tion was inevitable ; for from the country around, new 
supplies of men flocked in to augment Gates' army, by 
hundreds and by thousands. He had thrown large forces 
across to the left bank, to oppose Burgoyne, should he 
attempt to cross, and by that means escape. 

On the 7th of October another bloody battle occurred, 
very much resembling that just noticed, only that the 
British were more decidedly discomfited. One only hope 
of their deliverance now remained, which was that rein- 
forcements, sent by General Clinton up the Hudson, 



50 THEVINEOFLIBERTY. 

might arrive in time for their rescue. But at length their 
provisions failed, and no relief by way of reinforcements 
came. 

On the 17th of October, 1777, General Burgoyne capitu- 
lated, surrendering his entire army prisoners of war. The 
troops captured amounted to nine thousand two hundred 
and thirteen men. Thirty-five pieces of cannon were also 
taken, and five thousand muskets, as well as a large 
amount of other military stores. 



BRANDYWINE. 



While the momentous events were transpiring with 
regard to the army of Burgoyne in the north, a career of 
military affairs not less important was going forward in 
the Middle States, between the armies of General Wash- 
ington and C4eneral Howe. Early in the summer of 
1777, Admiral and General Howe were at sea, unde- 
cided, whether to enter the Delaware, or to take the route 
of the Chesapeake bay, in order to march against Phila- 
delphia. Washington called out the militia of the neigh- 
boring colonies, and made every possible preparation to 
defend the capital. On the 27th of August, the Bri- 
tish army, eighteen thousand strong, having passed up 
the Chesapeake, was disembarked not far from the 
head of Elk river. General Washington's army was 
equal neither in numbers nor discipline to that of the en- 
emy; yet he determined not to surrender the capital of 
his country without a battle. Early in the morning of the 
11th of September, the British army marched directly to 
the Americans, who had taken post on the north-east 
bank of the Biandywine. Howe had formed his men into 
two columns; the right commanded by General Knyp- 
hausen, and the left by Lord Cornwallis. His plan was, 
that while the first should make repeated feints to at- 
tempt the passage of Chadsford. in order to occupy th» 



52 THEVINEOELIBERTY. 

attention of tbe republicans, the second sbould take a long 
circuit to the upper part of the river, and cross at a place 
where it is divided into two shallow streams. After some 
preliminaries of battle, Knyphausen appeared determined 
to pass the ford. He stormed and kept up an incredible 
noise, by means of which the attention of the Americans 
was fully occupied in the neighborhood of Chadsford. 
Meanwhile, Lord Cornwallis, at the head of the second 
column, took a circuitous march to the left, and gained, un- 
perceived the forks of the Brandy wine. By this means, he 
passed the stream about two o'clock, and turning down the 
left bank, fell upon the Americans with great impetuosity. 
Washington had received intelligence of this movement 
about noon, and immediately decided for the most judi- 
cious though boldest measure : this was, to pass the river 
with the centre and left wing of his army, and overwhelm 
Knyphausen by a furious attack. Accordingly, he or- 
dered General Sullivan to pass the Brandywine with his 
division at an upper ford, and attack the left of Knyp- 
hausen, while he in person should cross lower down, and 
fall upon the right of that general. They were both al- 
ready in motion to execute this design, when a second 
report arrived, which represented what had really taken 
place as false, or in other words, that the enemy had not 
crossed the two branches of the river, and that he had not 
made his appearance upon the right flank of the Ameri- 
can troops. Deceived by this false intelligence, 
Washington desisted, and Greene, who had already passed 
with the vanguard, was ordered back. In the midst of 
these uncertainties, the commander-in-chief at length re- 
ceived the positive assurance, not only that the English 
had appeared on the left bank, but also that they were 



THE VINE OP LIBERTY. 53 

about to fall with great force upon the right wing of the 
Americans. From the unfortunate results of this mis- 
take, the army of Washington could not recover, though 
the Americans fought long and hard, under such brave 
commanders as Stephens, Stirling, Sullivan, Green, and 
Washington himself. Lafayette was also in this battle, 
in which he was wounded. About dark, the whole 
American army retreated, and reached Chester that night. 
The British encamped on the battle ground. The loss of 
the republicans was nine hundred killed and wounded ; 
that of the royal army about five hundred. The next 
day the army of Washington passed through the city of 
Philadelphia, in detached parties, leaving the capital ex- 
posed to the occupation of the victors. 



GERMANTOWN. 

After the battle of Brandywine, the Congress remo- 
ved from Philadelphia to Lancaster, and General Wash- 
ington was invested with dictatorial power. The loss of 
the battle of Brandywine did not throw the Americans into 
such dejection as might have been expected, and as the 
Biitish confidently hoped. Washington immediately ral- 
lied his scattered forces, and stood on the defensive. Be- 
fore the army of Howe arrived at Philadelphia, Wash- 
ington marched out as far as the town of Goshen, 
determining to give battle. The advanced parties had al- 
leady met, when there came up so violent a fall of rain, 
that the soldiers were forced to cease their fire. Wash- 



5i 



THE VINE OF L I B E R T F . 



ington re-crossed the Schuylkill, and encamped on the 
Perkyomey creek. 

About this time, Howe ascertained by his ships that 
Wayne, with one thousand live hundred men, was lying 
in the woods, near his rear, intending to fall on him by 
surprise. Deteraiined to take the start, the British gen- 
eral, in the dead of night, detached a party, who falling 
upon Wayne unawares, put vast numbers of his men to 
the bayonet, and entirely routed the party. The way 
now being open, the British proceeded to occupy Phila- 
delphia. 

A large part of the British army encamped at Ger- 
mantown, a considerable village about six miles north of 
Philadelphia. To this division Washington determined 
to give battle ; the following jiccount of which is in the 
language of Mrs. Willard. " Wnsliiiigton left his camp 
at Shippack creek, at seven in the evening. The ap- 
proach of the Americans was discovered by the British 
patrols. Washington's army commenced the attack 
about sunrise. Fortune at first favored the arms of the 
Americans, and the British were compelled to retreat. 
But Colonel Musgrove having thrown several companies 
into a stone house, they so annoyed the Americans, that 
the pursuit was delayed. The Pennsylvania militia did 
not all perform the duty assigned them. A thick fog 
coming on, caused confusion in the American ranks. The 
British, thus enabled to recover from the first attack, arous- 
ed to fresh exertions ; and the Americans were defeated. 
Their loss was two hundred IciiJed, among whom was 
General Nash, of North Carolina ; six hundred wounded. 



THEVINEOFLIBERTY. 55 

and four hundred taken prisoners. The British loss was 
five hundred; among their killed were Colonels Ag- 
ue w and Bird. The American army saved all its artil- 
lery, and retreated the same day about twenty miles to 
Perky omey creek. 

The Congress expressed in decided terms their appro- 
bation, both of the plan of the enterprise, and the courage 
with which it was executed, for which their thanks were 
given to the General and his army. 



MONMOUTH. 

The important transactions of the year 1777 were 
brought to a close by the two armies taking winter quar- 
ters ; the British in Philadelphia, and the Americans at 
Valley Forge. Three years of the war had now passed, 
and the fourth was about to open under a new and very 
different aspect. The result of Burgoyne's campaign 
had produced a deep sensation in most of the courts of 
Europe, and wrought quite a change in their political 
views. France up to this tirne had been well pleased to 
see Great Britain and her American colonies waste their 
energies in hostility against each other ; yet it was not 
until the present juncture that she consented openly to 
espouse the cause of the latter country. On the 6th of 
February, 1778, the Court of Versailles formed a defini- 
tive treaty of alliance with the United States of America. 
In this treaty it was agreed that the fleets and armies of 



56 THE V I N K OF f, I B E R T V . 

France should immediately proceed to America, and take 
an active part in the contest for American liberty. 

As soon as the news of this treaty reached the British 
Government, among the many causes of excitement which 
it there produced, was a deep solicitude for their army in 
Philadelphia. Should the French fleet enter the Dela- 
ware bay, and tlius cut off the chance of escape in that di- 
rection, and at the same time the united armies invest the 
city by land, there was good cause to apprehend a result 
for the army of Howe similar to that of Burgoyne. Early 
in this year, Clinton was appointed to succeed Howe in 
the command of the army in Philadelphia, with orders to 
evacuate that city as soon as practicable. On the 18th of 
June, the army was in motion for its departure. They 
had determined on marching through New Jersey, in or- 
der to reach New York. General Washington, on hear- 
ing of this manoeuvre of his enemy, immediately deter- 
mined on annoying him. Accordingly he broke up his 
camp at Valley Forge, and followed close upon the march 
of the British army, which was much incumbered with 
baggage. The American commander, on his arrival at 
Princeton, hearing that General Clinton, with a large di- 
vision of the British forces, had quitted the direct road to 
Staten Island, the place of rendezvous appointed for his 
army, and was marching for Sandy Hook, sent a detach- 
ment in pursuit of him, and followed with his whole army 
to support it ; and as Clinton made preparations to meet 
the meditated encounter, he sent out reinforcements to 
bring on the engagement. This department was com- 
manded by General Lee, whom Washington, on his ad- 



T H E V I N E or L I B r R T Y . 57 

vancing in person, met in full retreat. After a short and 
angry parley with the commander-in-chief, Lee returned 
and advanced against the enemy, but was again driven 
back. Clinton's forces now encountering the main body 
of the American army, were repulsed in their turn. 
Night put an end to the fighting. Taking advantage of 
the darkness, Clinton withdrew, and continued his march 
for Sandy Hook. The British lost six hundred men ; the 
Americans very few. Many on both sides died from the 
excessive heat of the day. 



W Y O M I N G 



" IN the campaign of 
this year," says Mrs. 
Willard, " the depreda- 
tions committed by the 
savages were more fre- 
quent and more inhu- 
man than ever. The 
ruthless chiefs who 
guided them in these 
sanguinary expeditions, 
were Butler and Brandt, 
beings capable of the 
^"^"^^^•^^^M ^^_. „.!^g^ "~ most horrid deeds. The 
devastation of the flourishing settlement of Wyoming by 
a band of Indians and tories, was marked by the most de- 
moniac cruelties. This settlement consisted of eight 
towns on the bank of the Susquehannah, and was one of 
the most flourishing as well as delightful places in Ame- 
rica. But even in this peaceful spot, the inhabitants were 
not exempt from the baneful influence of party spirit. 
Although the majority were devoted to the cause of their 
country, yet the loyalists were numerous. Several per- 




THEVINEOF LIBERTY. 59 

sons had been arrested as tories and sent to the proper 
authorities for trial. This excited the iadignation of their 
party, and they determined on revenge. They united 
with the Indians, and resorting to artifice, pretended a de- 
sire to cultivate peace with the inhabitants of Wyoming, 
while they were making every preparation for their medi- 
tated vengeance. The youth of Wymoing were at 
this time with the army, and but five hundred men capa- 
ble of defendinar the settlement remained. The inhab- 
itants had constructed four forts for their security, into 
which these men were distributed. Tn the month of July, 
sixteen hundred Indians and tories, under the command 
of Butler and Brandt, appeared on the banks of the Sus- 
quehannah. Two of the forts nearest the frontier imme- 
diately surrendered to them. The savages spared the 
women and clildren, but butchered the rest of their pris- 
oners without exception. They then surrounded King- 
ston, the principal fort, and to dismay the garrison, hurled 
into the place two hundred scalps, still reeking with 
blood. Colonel Denisou, knowing it to be impossible 
to defend the fort, demanded of Butler what terms would 
be allowed the garrison if they surrendered ; he answered, 
" the hatchet." They attempted further resistance, but 
were soon compelled to surrender. Enclosing the men, 
women and children, in houses and barracks, they set fire 
to these, and the miserable wretches were all consumed. 

" Wilksbarre, now the only remaining fort, learning the 
fate of the others, surrendered without resistance. But 
submission could not soften the hearts of these unfeeling 
monsters, and their atrocities were renewed. They then 



60 THEVINEOPLIBERTr. 

devastated the country, burnt their dwellings, and con- 
signed their crops to the flames, The tories appeared to 
surpass even the savages in barbarity. The nearest ties 
of consanguinity were disregarded ; and it is ascertained 
that a mother was murdered by her own son. None es- 
caped but a few women and children ; and these, dis- 
persed and wandering in the forests, without food and 
without clothes, were not the least worthy of commissera- 
tioD. 



t 



1 



EVENTS OF THE LATTER PART OF 1778. 



Early in this yea?-, a French fleet, commanded by the 
Count d'Estainge, was dispatched to America, with the 
design of blockading the British fleet in the Delaware. 
But Admiral Howe had already anticipated the scheme, 
and before the arrival of d'Estainge, had sailed for New 
York. The French fleet followed as far as Sandy Hook, 
but being unable to pass the bar at the entrance of New 
York bay, he was forced to abandon the design of a gen- 
eral engagement with the British fleet. About this time, 
General Sullivan undertook to expel the British from 
Newport. The plan was, that the French fleet siiould 
co-operate with Sullivan by attacking the British from the 
sea. The land forces, according to the plan agreed upon, 
had crossed the bay and landed on the island, on which 
the British army was posted. But at this juncture, the 
British fleet under command of Lord Ho^^ e, appeared in 
sight. D'Estainge immediately sailed out into the open 
sea to give him battle. This so relieved the British in 
Newport that no hope was left for the success of Sullivan. 
He retreated, and with great difficulty saved his army. 
While the commanders of the two hostile fleets were stri- 
ving to get the advantage of position, and at the very mo- 
ment when they were about to engage, a storm arose^ 



ft*? T H E V I N i: O F L I D E R T Y . 

which parted the combatants, and greatly damaged their 
fleet. 

This was the third enterprise in which the Americans 
had expected much from their nev/ ally, and also the third 
time that they had been sorely disappointed. D'Estainge 
now put into Boston, in order to reiit his shattered ves- 
sels. A growing dissatisfaction and coldness felt by the 
Americans towards their French allies becj-an to threaten 
serious consequences; and at the same time kindled great 
liopes in the British that this dissatisfaction would in- 
crease to a rupture, and thus prove destructive to the re- 
publican cause. Finally, the fleet of d'Fstainge left the 
coasts of the continent, and sailed for the West Indies, 
and in the latter part of November, Colonel Campbell 
was dispatched from New York by General Clinton, with 
a force of two thousand men against Georgia. 



SAV^ANNAH TAKEN. 



Clinton, at the same time that he had despatched the 
armament for Georgia, by convoy of Commodore Hyde 
Parker, and under command of Colonel Campbell, ordered 
General Prevost, who commanded in the Floridas, to col- 
lect all the troops that could be spared from the defence 
of those provinces, and to march also against Georgia, In 
order that it might be attacked at once in front on the 
part of the sea, by Campbell, and in flank, on the banks 
of the Savannah river, by Prevost. 



THEVINEOELIBERTY. 63 

On the 29th of December, Coram orlore Hyde Parker 
reached his destination, the moutii of the Savannah river. 
The English moved up tlie river till they reached the 
usual landing place, at which commences a very narrow 
causeway that leads to the city. This post, extremely 
difficult )of itself, might have been vigorously defended by 
the Americans ; but surprised by an unexpected attack, 
or destitute of a sufficient force, they made no opposition 
to the landing the English. The causeway led through 
a rice swamp, which was flank •'■d on each side by a deep 
ditch. The English were suffered to pass unmolested 
over this narrow defile, until they reached the high 
ground. Here sto'id a dwelling liouse, in which had been 
stationed a few companies of republicans. They received 
the vanofihe British wiih a sniait fire, killing Captain 
Cameron, who commanded a company of Scotch High- 
landers. His men were so incensed at the death of their 
leader, that they rushed forward v/ith great rapidity. 
The Americans immediately ilcd, the English having 
seized the house, Colonel Campbell ascended to its sum- 
mit in order to view the country. 

He discovered the Americans drawn up about half a 
mile east of the town of Savannah. It was commanded 
by the American Gen. Howe, and appeared to make a firm 
•tand to cover the Capital of the Province. 

The British commander advanced directly towards the 
republican army. By the movements of the Americans 
he was not long in perceiving that they expected, and 
even desired, he should engage their left wing. He drew 
off a part of his men to act as a feint in that direction, in 



64 TIIEVINEOFLIBERTY. 

order to keep up the delusion, but at the same time deter- 
mined to make his strong attack ujDon the right wing of 
the enemy. Meanwhile, a negro fell into the hands of the 
British, by whom they learned that a path led to the left, 
by which they might advance under the cover of woods 
beyond the line of the republicans. Col. Campbell at 
once resolved to avail himself of this fortunate circum- 
stance. He accordingly directed Sir James Baird to pur- 
sue with light infantry the indicated path, turn the right 
of the Americans, and fall by surprise upon their rear. 
This manoeuvre was successfully executed, and at an ap- 
pointed signal, a double attack was made, which instantly 
routed the Americans. 

The loss of life in this conflict was small ; but about 500 
American prisoners, 48 pieces of cannon, 23 mortars, the 
fort with its ammunition and stores, the shipping in the 
river, a large quantity of provisions, with the capital of 
Georgia, were all in the hands ofthe conquerors before dark. 



SAVANNAH RIVER. 

Shortly after the capture of Savannah by Col. Camp- 
bell, Gen. Prevost arrived from Florida, and took com- 
mand of the British forces in that province. The whole 
colony of Georgia now submitted to the conquerors, and 
was received under the protection of the British govern- 
ment. 

Gen. Lincoln, about this time, was appointed to the 
command of the southern forces. He immediately col- 



THEVINE OF LIBERTY. 65 

lected them on the north side of the Savannah river, in- 
tending:, as soon as he sliould be able to collect a sufficient 
number of troops, to cross that river and oblige the ene- 
my to evacuate the upper parts of Georgia. Gen. Pre- 
vost fell down the river, and encamped at Hudson's ferry. 
Lincoln detached Gen. Ashe, with 2,000 of the North Car- 
olina militia, to take post on Briar creek, on the Georgia 
side of the Savannah. He was strongly situated, having 
the deep channel of Briar creek in front, and the Savan- 
nah river on his left flank. But Prevost, by superior gen- 
eralship, so overreached the American officer as to gain 
an easy victory over him. He commenced a system of 
manoeuvreing, by which he so held Gen. Lincoln in fear 
of being attacked, tlfat he might not send reinforcements 
to Gen. Ashe ; while he made a circuitous route of more 
than 50 miles, crossing Briar creek, high up, where it was 
fordable, and then descending on the left bank, fell unex- 
pectedly on the flank and rear of the Carolinians, who 
made no resistance, but instantly fled. Vast numbers were 
drowned in the river, or swallowed up in the deep marsh, 
so that out of 2,000, only about 400 returned to the camp 
of Lincoln. 



STONY POINT. 

Stony Point is a strong position on the Hudson river, 
between New York and West Point. There the English 
had labored with such industry as to reduce that rock to 

6* 



66 THEVINEOFLIBERTY. 

the condition of a real fortress. Against this the Ameri- 
cans undertook an expedition, to use the language of an 
eminent historian, which afforded a brilliant demonstra- 
tion, that so far from wanting courage, they could vie in 
boldness with the most celebrated nations of Europe. The 
garrison was furnished with sufficient number of troops ; 
the stores were abundant; the defensive preparations 
lormidable. 

General Washington charged General Wayne with the 
ttack of Stony Point, and General Howe (the American) 
^ith that of Verplank's. He provided the first with a 
strong detachment of the most enterprising veteran in- 
fantry in all his army. 

"^ . 
These troops set out on their expedition on the 15th of 

July, and having accomplished their march over high 
mountains, through deep morasses, difficult defiles, and 
roads exceedingly bad and narrow, arrived about eight 
o'clock in the evening within a mile of Stony Point. 
General Wayne then halted to reconnoiter the works 
and to observe the situation of the garrison. The En- 
glish, however, did not perceive him. He formed his 
corps into two columns, and put himself at the head of the 
right. It was preceded by a vanguard of a hundred and 
fifty picked men, commanded by that brave and adven- 
turous Frenchman, Lieutenant Colonel Fleury. This 
vanguard was itself guided by a forlorn hope of about 
twenty, led by Lieutenant Gibbon. The column on the 
left, conducted by Major Stewart, had a similar vanguard, 
also preceded by a forlorn hope under Lieutenant Knox. 
These^ forlorn hopes were particularly intended to re- 



THEVINEOFLIBERTY. 67 

move the abatis and other obstructions which lay in the 
way of the succeeding troops. General Wayne directed 
both columns to march in order and silence, with unloaded 
muskets and fixed bayonets. At midnight they arrived 
under the walls of the fort. The two columns attacked 
upon the flank, while Major Murfee engaged the atten- 
tion of the garrison by a feint in their front. An unex- 
pected obstacle presented itself; the deep morass which 
covered the works was at this time overflowed by the 
tide. The Enghsh opened a most tremendous fire of 
musketry and of cannon loaded with grape-shot ; but nei- 
ther the inundated morass, nor a double palisade, nor the 
bastioned ramparts, nor the storm of fire that was poured 
from them, could avert the impetuosity of the Ameri- 
cans; they opened their way with the bayonet, prostra- 
ted whatever opposed them, scaled the fort, and ihe iwu 
columns met in the centre of the works. General Wayne 
received a contusion in the head, by a musket ball, as he 
passed the last abatis. Colonel Fleury struck with his 
own hand the royal standard that waved upon the walls. 

Of the forlorn hope of Gibbon, seventeen out of the 
twenty perished in the attack. The English lost upwards 
of six hundred men in killed and prisoners. The con- 
querors abstained from pillage, and from all disorder ; a 
conduct the more worthy to be commended, as they had 
still present in mind the ravages and butcheries which their 
enemies had so recently committed in Carolina, in Con- 
necticut, and in Virginia. Humanity imparted new ef- 
fulgence to the victory which valor had obtained. 

The attack meditated against Verp|an|t's had not thp 



<>8 THE VINE OF LIBERTY. 

same success : General Howe encountered insurmount- 
able obstacles. Meanwhile, Clinton had received intelli- 
gence of the capture of Stony Point ; and being resolved 
not to suffer the Americans to estabHsh themselves in that 
position, he instantly detached a corps of cavalry and light 
infantry to dislodge them. But Washington had at- 
tained his object; he had originally intended nothing 
more than to make himself master of the artillery and 
stores of the fort, to destroy the works, and to bring off the 
garrison. It was absolutely inconsistent with his views 
to risk a general action, in order to fav^or a partial opera- 
tion ; he therefore ordered Cxeneral Wayne to retire, 
which he did successfully, after having dismantled the for- 
tifications. The Congress decreed their acknowledgments 
to Washington and to Wayne, to Fleury, Stewart, Gibbon 
and Knox. They presented Qeneral Wayne with a medal 
of gold, which commemorated this brilliant achieve- 
ment. Fleury and Stewart received a similar medal of 
silver. Not willing to leave the bravery of their soldiers 
without its retribution, they ordered an estimate of the 
military stores taken at Stony Point, and the value there- 
of to be shared amonsf them. 



SAVANNAH SEIGE RAISED. 

Several encounters, with various success, had taken 
place between the forces of General Prevost and General 
liincoln, who had been operating on both sides of the Sa- 



THEVINEOELIBERTT. 6^ 

vannah river, up to the middle of thesammer of 1779, with- 
out much decided advantage to either. During the same 
period, the Count D'Estainge had been occupied in naval 
contests w^ith the British fleet in the West Indies. At 
length, General Lincoln despatched a letter to D'Estainge, 
informing him, that as much advantage to the American 
arms had been expected from the alliance w^ith France, 
and as yet none had occurred, there was therefore much 
dissatisfaction, in view of this subject, in the minds of the 
people of the United States. A short time previous to 
D'Estainge's receiving this letter, he had been ordered by 
the Court of France to repair, with his fleet to the coasts 
of Europe. Venturing to disobey the commands of his 
own government, on account of the pressing entreaties of 
the American General, he forthwith sailed for the coasts 
of the United States. Two objects now presented them- 
selves as worthy the attention of this gallant naval officer. 
The one was to unite with the army of the republicans in 
the South, and recapture the town of Savannah; the other 
was, to advance as far as the waters of New York, and 
co-operate with Washington in rescuing that city from 
the possession of the British. After some deliberation, 
D'Estainge determined on the former. About the first of 
September, the fleet of D'Estainge appeared off the coast 
of Georgia. At the sight of this armament, which consist- 
ed of 20 sail of the line, and 13 frigates, the republicans 
exulted in the sanguine hope of capturing their enemies, 
or of expelling them from their country. The militia 
mustered with alacrity in ^considerable force, and marched 
under the command of General Lincoln to the vicinity of 

6 



70 TIIEVINEOFLIBERTY. 

Savannah. Before their arrival, D'Estainge had summon- 
ed the town, and had granted to General Prevost a sus- 
pension of hostilities for twenty-four hours, for the pur- 
pose of settling the terms of capitulation. But during 
that interval, the British commander received a reinforce- 
ment of several hundred men, who had forced their way 
from Beaufort, encouraged by which seasonable aid, he 
determined to hold out to the last extremity. The allied 
forces, therefore, commenced the seige of the place in 
form ; but D'Estainge finding that too much time would 
be consumed in regular approaches, and dreading the hur- 
ricanes, which prevail on the southern coasts of America 
at that season, resolved on an assault. In conjunction 
with Lincoln, he led his troops to the onset with great gal- 
lantry ; but the steadiness of the British won the day, and 
after having received two slight wounds, he was driven 
back with the loss of 637 of his countrymen, and 200 of 
the Americans, killed and wounded. Among the fallen 
of that day, was the gallant Polish nobleman, Pulaski. 
At the close of the engagement, D'Estainge retired to his 
ships, and departed from the coast, while Lincoln crossed 
the Savannah river, and returned with his forces, daily di- 
minishing by desertion, to South Carolina. In proportion 
to the joy of the inhabitants of the Southern States at the 
arrival of the French fleet, was their mortification at the 
failure of their joint endeavors to rid the country of an ac- 
tive enemy. The brave w^ere dispirited by defeat, and 
the sanguine began to despair of the fortunes of their 
country. Those, however, who thought more deeply, 
took comfort from the consideration that the enemy had 



I 



THE VINE OF LIBERTY. 71 

effected little in the course of the campaign, excepting 
the overrunning and plundering of an extensive tract of 
territory, and that they had been compelled to terminate 
their excursion by again concentrating themselves in Sa- 
vannah. 



CHARLESTON TAKEN. 

Soon after the repulse of the Americans at Savan- 
nah, Clinton sailed from New York, with a force 
of ten thousand men, determined to seize Charleston, 
which had so long baffled the attacks of the English Ar- 
mies. In this state of affairs, it would, no doubt, have 
been the duty of Lincoln to have abandoned Charles- 
ton to its fate, and to have fallen back into the interior of 
the State, and thei'eby preserved his men and munitions. 
But the town had so long been preserved, and contained 
so much public property, and was withal the key of the 
State, that he resolved, at the urgent solicitations of the 
principal men of the place, to risk all in defending it, 

" The British fleet," in the words of that eloquent histo- 
rian, Mr. Headley, "soon sailed unmolested up the har- 
bor. Fort Moultrie made no resistance. The troops were 
disembarked, and, on the 30th of March, 1780, the seige 
commenced. It is useless to go into the particulars of 
this distressing seige. With an army that might have 
swept in one resistless flood over the works, and carried 
the town in a few hours, Clinton pursued a more cautious 



72 THE VINE OP LIBERTY. 

plan, and advanced by regular approaches. On the 10th 
of April the first parallel was completed, and the garrison 
summoned to surrender. Lincoln, determined with his 
three thousand troops to hold out to the last extremity, 
sent a refusal, and the seige went on. In ten days more 
the second parallel, was finished, and a second summons 
sent and rejected. A furious cannonade then commenced, 
and was kept up, day and night, for several days, filling 
the bosoms of the inhabitants with terror, and carrying de- 
struction into the town. Lincoln strained every nerve to 
resist this steady advance : his men were constantly at 
work on the lines, the parapets were mounted with sand- 
bags, and the batteries served with untiring vigor. The 
immense number of cannon employed kept Charleston in 
a tremor, and the incessant explosions were almost deaf- 
ening. Lincoln, seeing how desperate his situation had 
become, endeavored to make up in activity and energy 
what he lacked in strength. Night and day he was seen on 
the lines, cheering up the men, and directing and overseeing 
every thing. One day he was ten hours in the saddle with- 
out once dismounting — riding hither and thither, with his 
great heart filled with anxious forebodings ; and the last 
fortnight he never took off his clothes to rest. Flinging 
himself, in uniform, on a couch, he would snatch a few 
moments' repose, and then again be seen riding along the 
lines. All that man could do, he did, and against the en- 
treaties of the suffering inhabitants, the distress of his own 
men, against even his own convictions of final success, held 
out with a tenacity and courage worthy of a better re- 
sult. As he passed along his shattered works, he would 



THE VINE OP LIBERTY, 73 

see his soldiers — their faces bloated with toil, sleeping 
with their instruments and muskets by their sides. The 
provisions were all exhausted, save a little rice; and fears 
of famine were added to the miseries that already en- 
veloped him. It was a sad spectacle to see that firm old 
soldier standing amid the wreck of defences, fighting 
against despair itself; and still refusing to submit to the 
decree he knew to be inevitable. To have that long cam- 
paign, on which he had staked his reputation, end in ut- 
ter failure; and surrendes that army with which he had 
been entrusted to protect the South, was a thought too 
bitter to contemplate ; and he turned away to renevv the 
struggle. Vain courage ! shut up by sea and land — part 
of his guns bursted, others dismounted — without provis- 
ions — almost without defences and with but twenty-five 
hundred effective troops, it was impossible to check the 
approach of that veteran army of nine thousand. The 
parallels gradually drew nearer, till the batteries opened 
within eighty yards of him, and preparations \vere making 
for a general storm. Then to save the inhabitants and the 
town, which he knew could not be held, he capitulated, 
and his entire army laid down their arms, Charleston 
fell ; and South Carolina lay open to the victorious troops 
of the enemy. Lincoln was shipped on board an English 
vessel, and sailed for New York. In November he was 
exchanged for General Phillips, and in 1781 again joined 
the army, then around New York, and soon after accom- 
panied Washington m his march to Yorktown," 



CAMDEN. 



One of the sorest defeats wliicli befel the Americans 
during the war, was that of Camden, under the command 
of Gates. After the surrender of Charleston, almost the 
whole region of the Carolinas had returned to the obedi- 
ence of the British government. Lord Cornwallis was 
stationed at Charleston, while Lord Rawdon was located 
in the interior, at Camden. When General Washington 
first heard of the seige of Charleston, he had despatched 
Baron de Kalb, with a reinforcement. But on account of 
the great length of the march, he was unable to reach the 
beseiged city in season; but when he arrived in Virginia 
and the Carolinas, large numbers of the militia in those 
States joined his army, which, at first consisting of but 
1.400 men, now amounted to 6,000. Congress taking en- 
couragement from this favorable symptom, determined to 
avail themselves of this force, to make an attempt for the 
recovery of the South. The Baron de Kalb was unac- 
quainted with the country, and a foreigner. They now sought 
among the chiefs of the country, for a suitable commander 
for the southern army. General Gates, whose fame had 
risen to the highest pinnacle, was of course appointed. He 
immediately repaired to the confines of South Carolina, and 
took command of the American forces, which were now 
numerous and in good spirits. In the latter part of July, 




THEVINEOF LIBERTY. 75 

he marclied for Camden. The commander, as well as his 
men, was confident of success. The name of Gates was 
perhaps too much relied on. The army of Lord Rawdon 
was at this time far from being in an encouraging condition. 
A large number of his men were sick, and at most they 
were far inferior in numbers to the approaching enemy. 
In this critical situation, Rawdon sent to Charleston for 
some relief Lord Cornwallis immediately repaired to 
Camden, and it is said, upon an investigation of the British 
strength at that place, was in doubt whether to attempt 
flight or stand his ground. He adopted, however, the 
bolder measure. Gates was encamped about 10 miles 
from Camden. On the 15th of August, about 10 o'clock 
in the evening, Cornwallis put his troops in motion, in or- 
der to surprise the American camp before daylight the next 
morning. The night was dark, and a very singular coin- 
cidence occurred ; Gates at the same time had also ordered 
an advance upon the British, and the two forces met in the 
midst of the darkness. BetMreen the vans of the two arm- 
ies there commenced a severe action. The two command- 
ers again took the same resolution — that was, to suspend 
operations until daylight. And now, as suddenly as the 
firing had commenced, it ceased. The profound stillness 
that succeeded amidst the total darkness was fraught with 
terror. When the li^ht came, it was discovered that the 
ground on which the Americans were stationed, was much 
more unfavorable than that upon which the British army 
stood. Gates perceiving this, undertook the very impru- 
dent operation of changing his order of battle, while in 
close proximity with the enemy. Cornwallis promptly 



76 THEVINE OF LIBERTY. 

took advantage of this error and furiously charged the 
Americans while yet in disorder. At the first onset, the 
army of Gates was repulsed, and although many of the of- 
ficers and men resisted bravely, yet they never recovered 
from their first discomfiture. Some parts of the militia be- 
haved with great want of courage. The route of the Ame- 
ricans was complete, and very sanguinary ; they lost in 
killed, wounded, and prisoners, above 2,000. Baron de 
Kalb was mortally wounded. The British loss did not 
exceed 300. 



' l^ 


--,-^_ . 


3. 


'^^^ 


/;■> --s,;_^. 




'! 


'A ^ 




KING'S MOUNTAIN. 

During tlie summer of 1780, the tones in the western 
and mountainous parts of North and South CaroUna, had 
become so bold in their acts of outrage upon the property 
and lives of the inhabitants, as to be beyond all endurance 
These marauders were headed by British officers, and 
were thus banded together in parties of much strength. 
The principal of these leaders was one Ferguson, whose 
name had become at once a terror and a detestation to all 
the country round. At length the whole region rose, and 
with one consent combined for his extermination. 

"Col. Ferguson had been detached by Lord Cornwallis 
upon the frontiers of North Carolina, to encourage the loy- 
alists to take arms. A considerable number had repaired 
to his standard ; but the greater part were of the most 
profligate and ferocious description of men. Believing 
anything admissible with the sanction of their chief, they 
put every thing on their passage to fire and sword. Ex- 
cesses so atrocious must have inflamed the coldest hearts 
with the desire of vengeance ; they transported the moun- 
taineers with fury. They descended into the plain by tor- 
rents, arming themselves with whatever chance threw 
within their reach. They foamed at the name of Fergu- 
son ; they conjured the chiefs, they had given themselves, 
to lead them upon the track of this monster, that they 

7* 



78 THE VINE OF LIBERTY. 

might make him expiate the ravages and blood with which 
he had stained himself. Each of them carried besides his 
arms a wallet and a blanket. They slept on the naked 
earth, in the open air ; the water of the rivulet slaked 
their thirst ; they fed on the cattle they drew after them, 
or on the game they killed in the forests. They were con- 
ducted by the Colonels Campbell, Cleaveland, Shelby, 
Sevier and Lacy. Every where they demanded Fergu- 
son with loud cries. At every step they swore to exter- 
minate him. At length they found him. But Ferguson 
was not a man that any danger whatever could intimidate. 
He was posted on a woody eminence which commands all 
the adjacent plain, and has a circular base. It is called 
King's Mountain. An advanced guard defended its ap- 
proach by the direct road. The mountaineers soon forced 
them to fall back; then forming in several columns, they 
endeavored to make their way to the summit. The at- 
tack and the defence were equally obstinate ; some from 
behind trees, others under the cover of rocks, maintained 
an extremely brisk fire. At length those commanded by 
Cleaveland arrived on the brow of the hill. The English 
repulsed them with the bayonet. But the column of 
Shelby came up at the same instant, and it was necessary 
to dispute the ground -with, it immediately. It began to 
give way, when Col. Campbell took part in the combat. 
Ferguson received him with gallantry ; but what could 
avail his efforts against assaults incessantly renewed, and 
always with more fury 1 He was surrounded ; and he 
did all that a man of skill and courage could do to extri- 
cate himself. But already the crown of the mount was 



THE VINE OP LIBERTY, 79 

inundated witli Americans. They summoned Ferguson 
in vain to surrender; he peiished sword in hand. His 
successor immediately demanded and obtained quarter. 
The carnage had been dreadful ; the royalists had to re- 
gret above eleven hundred men in killed, wounded and 
prisoners, a loss extremely serious in the present circum- 
stances. All the arms and munitions fell into the power 
of the conquerors. They observed the laws of war to- 
wards the English ; but they displayed an excessive rigor 
against the loyalists. They hung several without listening 
to their remonstrances. They alledged that this execu- 
tion, was only a just reprisal for that of the republicans 
put to death by the loyalists at Camden, at Ninety-Six» 
and at Augusta. Thus was added to the inevitable rigors 
of war all the ferocity of civil dissensions." 



C O W P E N S . 

While the war was carried on in the South with such 
ill success by General Gates, an affair of a very different 
nature was transpiring in the north : this was no less than 
the treason of Arnold and the execution of Major Andre. 

Congress being dissatisfied with the management of 
General Gates, appointed General Green to succeed hira 
in the command of the Southern army. The head quar- 
ters of this army were at Charlotte, in North Carolina ; 
thither General Green repaired. Finding the army in a 
very debilitated condition, he resorted to every practicable 



80 THEVINE OF LIBERTY. 

measure to restore its spirit. After having received con- 
siderable reinforcements, General Green commenced a se- 
ries of operations for the purpose of harassing Cornwallis. 
This commander had his head quarters at Winnsborough, 
in South Carolina. His plan was to carry his conquests 
northward, overrunning North Carolina and Virginia, and 
restoring tliem to British domination, as he had done the 
provinces more southward. General Green's plan was to 
obstruct the progress of his adversary. This he contem- 
plated doing by avoiding a general engagement ; as he 
felt that his army did not possess sufficient strength to 
compete on an equal footing with that of Cornwallis. 

Pursuant to this arrano-ement of affairs between the two 
belligerent parties, Green broke up his camp at Charlotte 
in the month of December, and proceeded to station him- 
self at the Cheraw Hills, some seventy miles east of Corn- 
wallis ; at the same time he despatched Col. Morgan in 
the opposite direction, to advance southward along the 
western frontier of South Carolina. Cornwallis, appre- 
hensive that Augusta, in Georgia, was threatened by this 
movenient of Morgan's, immediately sent Tarleton, with a 
strong force, to pursue Morgan. To the ardent temper 
and chivalrous disposition of the British Colonel this ap- 
pointment was perfectly congenial. As his troops were 
much the more numerous, he advanced upon Morgan in a 
style of menace. At first Morgan commenced a retreat 
in the direction of Green's army ; but he soon became dis- 
satisfied with that business. At length, being reinforced 
by a body of militia, and placing great confidence in his 
veteran and regular troops, he took a stand a Cowpens 



THE VINE OP LIBERTY. 81 

and determined to gratify his adversary in his eagerness 
for combat. 

On the morning of the 17th of January, Tarleton put 
his troops in battle array," and with great rapidity advan- 
ced upon the Americans. But Morgan, vv^ho also gloried 
in action, and whose spirit had recoiled for several days, 
at the humiliation of retreat, with no less alacrity met 
the encounter. 

Without descending to particulars, let it be sufficient to 
say, that a most comj3lete and glorious victory was gained 
by the Americans. Upwards of 500 of the British laid 
down their arms and were made prisoners, and about 300 
killed or wounded. The Americans lost in all about 70, 
not more than 20 being killed. A vast amount of arras 
and stores also fell into the hands of the Americans. 



GUILDFORD. 

The battle of Cowpens was the great turning point of 
the fortune of the republicans in the South. It was the 
first stroke of General Green's policy in his new field of 
operations, and it augured well for his future career. It 
was an introduction to one of the most ably conducted and 
successful trains of operation that occurred during the 
revolutionary war. 

Bitterly disappointed and discomfitted with the over- 
throw of Tarleton, Lord Cornwallis resolved to resort to 
the most prompt and efficient measures to avenge the in- 

7 



82 THEVINEOFLIBERTY. 

jury and retrieve the loss. He now determined, if pos- 
sible, to advance against Morgan, overtake him before he 
effected a junction w^ith Green, retake his prisoners, and 
demolish his force ; or in case t»f the junction of the two 
armies, to cut off their retreat towards Virginia, and force 
them to an action. General Green, no less vigilant and 
sagacious, penetrated the plans of his adversary. Des- 
patching his main army to Salisbury, under charge of Gen. 
Huger, he proceeded himself, with all speed to meet Mor- 
gan, and aid him in escaping the grasp of his eager pur- 
suer. Cornwallis, meanwhile, resorted to the extreme 
measure of destroying all his baggage, by committing it 
to the flames, in order that he might disencumber his sol- 
diers, and as it were by stripping them to the very skin, 
the better fit them for the impending chase. The annals 
of history afford us few more intensely interesting feats 
in war, than was this celebrated pursuit. Their course 
lay across the head waters of the many rivers that flow 
down from the mountains and water the plains of the Car- 
olinas. These, at that season of the year, were very lia- 
ble to freshets. In more than one instance, before the 
Americans had departed from theleft bank of one of these 
streams, the English were seen approaching the opposite 
side. But what was more remarkable; in several instan- 
ces, when the pursuers had reached one of these rivers 
and saw the enemy escaping on the other side, before they 
could make arrangements to ford the current, a freshet 
would suddenly raise the waters, so as to detain them two 
or three days ; thus giving time for the pursued to make 
good their escape. The American people supposed they 



THE VINE OF LIBERTY. 83 

saw the interposition of Providence in their favor, in this 
escape, almost as visiBly as did the Israelites when they 
passed through the Red Sea, and the waters returned up- 
on their pursuers. 

General Green now directed his course towards Guild- 
ford Court House, where he was to be joined by General 
Huger, who had been left in charge of the main army. On 
the 7th of January, the two departments of the American 
army effected their junction in safety. The hostile armies 
now spent about a month manoeuvreing, to gain some ad- 
vantage the one over the other. On the l5th of March, 
Gen. Green being reinforced by large recruits of militia, 
took a stand at Guildford, and awaited the onset of his 
adversary. 

Early in the battle some companies of militia fled, and 
the regulars were soon left to maintain the conflict alone. 
They fought for an hour and a half with great bravery, 
and in some instances forced the British to give way. 
They were, however, at length compelled to retreat, but 
it was only step by step, and without breaking their ranks. 
The loss of the Americans in this engagement was esti- 
mated at 1300 ; that of the British, in proportion to their 
number, was more considerable. Green now retreated 
to Speedwell's iron works, ten miles from the field of bat- 
tle. 

Cornwallis, although he had the reputation of a victor, 
found himself, in consequence of his losses, obliged to re- 
treat, while Green was in condition to pursue, thus afford- 
ing the singular spectacle of a vanquished army pursuing 
a victorious one. Cornwallis retired to Bell's Mills, and 
after a few days' repose marched towards Wilmington, 



84 THEVINEOF LIBERTY. 

Green, having collected the fugitixps of his army, follow- 
ed the British, and with his light infantry continually har- 
assed their rear. He, however, soon altered his course, 
and proceeded by forced marches^towards Camden, South 
Carolina. 



HOB KIRK'S HILL. 

" On the 7th of April, General Green broke up his 
encampment, and with the main column of his army, mov- 
ing to the South, took position on Hobkirk's Hill, in front 

of Camden, the head quarters of Lord Rawdon, now the 
commander-in-chief of the British forces in the South. 

The strength of the British position, which was covered 
on the south and east side by a river and creek, and to 
the westward and northward by six redoubts, rendered it 
impracticable to carry it by storm with the small army 
Green had, consisting of about 700 continentals, the mili- 
tia having gone home. He therefore encamped at about 
a mile from the town, in order to prevent supplies from 
being brought in, and to take advantage of such favorable 
circumstances as might occur. Lord Rawdon's situation 
was extremely delicate. Col. Watson, whom he had 
some time before detached for the protection of the east- 
ern frontiers, and to whom he had, on the intelligence of 
Gen. Green's intentions, sent orders to return to Cam- 
den, was so effectually watched by Gen. Marion, that it 
was impossible for him to obey. His lordship's supplies 
were, moreover, very precarious ; and should Gen. Green's 



THEVIN EOF LIBERTY. 85 

reinforcements arrive, he might be so closely invested as to 
be at length obliged to surrender. In this dilemma, the 
best expedient that suggested itself, was a bold attack ; 
for which purpose he armed every person with him capa- 
ble of carrying a musket, not excepting his musicians and 
drummers. He sallied out the 25th of April, and attack- 
ed Gen. Green in his camp. The defence was obstinate ; 
and for some part of the engagement the advantage ap- 
peared to be in favor of the Americans. Lieutenant Col. 
Washington, who commanded the cavalry, bad at one 
time not less than two hundred British prisoners. How- 
ever, by the misconduct of one of the American regiments, 
victory was snatched from Gen. Green, who was com- 
pelled to retreat. He lost in the action about 200 killed, 
wounded and prisoners. Rawdon lost about two hundred 
and fifty eight. 

There was a great similarity between the consequences 
of the affair at Guildford, and those of this action. In the 
former, Lord Cornwallis was successful ; but was after- 
ward obliged to retreat 200 miles from the scene of action, 
and for the time abandoned the grand object of retreating 
to the northward. In the latter, Lord Rawdon had the 
honour of the field, but was shortly after reduced to the 
necessity of abandoning his post, and leaving behind him 
a number of sick and wounded. 

The evacuation of Camden, with the vigilance of Gen. 
Green, and the several officers he employed, gave a new 
complexion to affairs in South Carolina, wliere the Brit- 
ish ascendency declined more rapidly than it had been es- 
tablished. The numerous forts gariisoned by the enemy 
fell, one after another, into the hands of the Americans, 



86 THE VINE OF LIBERTY. 

Orangeburg, Motte, Watson, Georgetown, Granby, and 
others ; were surrendered ; and a very considerable num- 
ber of prisoners of war, with military stores and artillery, 
were found in them." 



EUTAW SPRINGS. 

" Gen. Green, still in his camp at the high hills of the 
Santee, had made the best use of the time allowed him, 
by the suspension of arms. It was now the beginning of 
September, the sultriness of the season had abated, and 
Green determined if possible to dispossess the British of 
the remaining posts in the ujjper country. He marched 
to the upper Congaree, passed it with all his army, and 
descended along its right bank, intending to attack Colo- 
nel Stewart, who at this time occupied the post of Mc- 
Cord's Ferry. The royalists fell back upon Eutaw 
Springs ; thither Gen. Green pursued them, and on the 
8th of September, the armies engaged. 

" As the Americans came forward to the attack, they 
fell in with some advanced parties of the enemy, at about 
two or three miles ahead of the main body. These being 
closely pursued, were driven back, and the action soon 
became general. The militia were at length forced to 
give way, but were bravely supported by the second line. 
In the hottest part of the engagement, General Green or- 
dered the Maryland and Virginia continentals to charge 
with trailed arms. This decided the fate of the day. 



THEVINEOFLIBERTY. 87 

* Nothing,' says Dr. Ramsay, * could surpass the intrepid- 
ity of both officers and men on this occasion, they rushed 
on in good order, through a heavy cannonade and a show- 
er of musketry, with such unshaken resolution, that they 
bore down all before them.' The British were broken, 
closely pursued, and upwards of five hundred of them 
were taken prisoners. They, however, made a fresh 
stand in a favorable position, in impenetrable shrubs and 
a picketed garden. Lieutenant Col. Washington, after 
having made every effort to dislodge them, was wounded 
and taken prisoner. Four six-pounders were brought for- 
ward to play upon them, but they fell into their hands ; 
and the endeavors to drive them from their station being 
found impracticable, the Americans retired, leaving a very 
strong picket on the field of battle. Their loss was about 
500; that of the British upwards of 1100. 

General Green was honored by Congress with a British 
standard and a gold medal emblematical of the engage- 
ment, 'for his wise, decisive, and magnanimous conduct 
in the action at Eutaw Springs, in which, with a force 
inferior in number to that of the enemy, he obtained a 
most signal victory.' " 



EVENTS WHICH IMMEDIATELY PRECEDED 

THE CLOSE OF THE WAR, AND SIEGE 

OF YORKTOWN. 

After the battle of Guildford, the two hostile armies 
turned their operations in difterent directions; Green 
marched upon South Carolina, and Cornwallis into Vir- 
ginia. General Lafayette was despatched by Washing- 
ton with a considerable force to protect Virginia from the 
depredations of his lordship. Some indecisive fighting 
and a great deal of manoeuvreing took place between the 
two armies. The traitor Arnold had been pillaging and 
destroying property in Virginia, previously to the arrival 
of Cornwallis, but about the time of that event he was 
recalled by *' Sir Heniy Clinton, who put him in command 
of a strong detachment and sent him to New London, 
Connecticut, a flourishing city upon the river Thames, in 
his native State. Nearly opposite, on a hill in Groton, 
Btood Fort Griswold, which was then garrisoned by mili- 
tia, hastily summoned from their labors in the field. Against 
this fort, Arnold despatched a part of his troops. It was 
assaulted on three sides at the same moment. The gar- 
rison, fighting in view of their property and their homes, 
made an obstinate resistance. By their steady and well 
directed fire, many of the assailants were killed. Press- 
ing forward with persevering ardor, the enemy entered 



T H E V I N E OF L I B E R T Y . 89 

the fort through the embrazures. Immediately all resist- 
ance ceased. Irritated by a gallantry, which should have 
caused admiration, a British officer inquired who com- 
manded the fart. * I did,' said Col. Ledyard, * but you do 
now,' and presented him his sword. He seized it, and 
with savage cruelty plunged it in his bosom. Tiiis was 
the signal for an indiscriminate massacre. Of one hund- 
red and sixty men composing the garrison, all but forty 
were killed or wounded, and most of them after resist- 
ance had ceased. Seldom has the glory of victory been 
tarnished by such detestable barbarity. Tlie enemy then 
entered New London, which was set on fire and consum- 
ed. The property destroyed was of immense value. Per- 
ceiving no other object within reach of his force, Arnold 
led back his troops to New York." 

Up to this time there had not accrued that success to 
the American cause from the French alUance, which 
might have been looked for, from the assistance of so for- 
midable a nation. Roused at length by the complaints 
and entreaties of the Ameiicans, and by the expectations 
of the on-looking nations of Europe, the king of France 
determined to exert a two fold vigor and activity in order 
to repair the time lost in the two preceding years. The 
Count de Grasse, with a large French fleet, was to pro- 
ceed to the coast of America, in order To co-operato with 
the land forces of Gen, \V^^shington, and Count tie Roch- 
ambeau. The British, too, were in good spirits with regard 
to the prosecution of the war. Their armies had now over 
run a greater extent of territory, which they seemed to 

8* 



90 THEVINE OF LIBERTY. 



1 



hold in subjection, than had been the case at any previous 
time since the revolt of the colonies. 

The plan which tended by a decisive stroke to put an 
end to the whole American war, drew day by day more 
near to its consummation. The government was informed 
that the Count de Grasse, with his fleet and a body of land 
troops, was about to arrive. It therefore neglected noth- 
ing that was demanded by the occasion, in order to be in 
a situation to profit by the great superiority which the al- 
lies were soon to have, as well by land as by sea. To this 
end, Washington and Rochambeau had an interview at 
Weathersfield, Connecticut. Count de Barras, who com- 
manded the French squadron at anchor in Rhode Island, 
was likewise to have been present at the conference, but was 
detained by other duties. The seige of New York was 
resolved on by the two generals. Now commenced a suc- 
cession of events, all of w^iich seemed so remarkably to 
favor the great result, which terminated the war, that 
many of the American people have firmly believed thera 
to be so many special acts of Providence to bring about 
their deliverance. The British being ten thousand strong 
in New York, it was thought necessary to raise the Ame- 
rica,n army to twenty thousand. The appearance of the 
Count de Grasse on the coast was to be the signal for com- 
mencing the seige. In order to raise the required num- 
ber of troops, Washington called on the adjoining States 
to furnish their quotas ; but they were dilatory in comply- 
in o- with the call, and thus the commencement of the seige 
was retarded. Meanwhile, Washington was informed of 
the condition of Cornwallis in Virginia, and at once de- 



THEVINEOPLIBERTY. 91 

termined it better to concentrate against him, than to un- 
dertake the seige of New York, But had the plans and 
ord>5rsof thecommander-in-chief been executed as prompt- 
ly as was his urgent desire, the seige would have been in 
such a state of forwardness, that it could not have been re- 
linquished for the more favorable prospect of success in 
marching against Cornwallis. But the movements which 
had already been made — having given jealousy to Clin- 
ton for the safety of New York, Washington resolved, 
notwithstanding he had changed his plan, to nourish the 
suspicion of his adversary, by a series of spirited demon- 
strations, to the end that the. British commander might 
not penetrate his real design, and throw obstacles in its 
way. Clinton was led still further into the snare by hav- 
ing read intercepted letters sent to the southern command- 
ers, informing them of his determination to attack New 
York. Clinton full of apprehension for a city which had 
become his place of arms, was indefatigable in multiply- 
ing its defences. 

Washington broke up his camp at New Windsor, and 
went to meet Rochambeau, who had sailed frora Rhode 
Island. The two armies effected their junction, and went 
to encamp at Phillipsburgh, in a situation to overawe 
Kingsbridge and the adjoining posts, and even to alarm 
the island of New York. Not content with these demon- 
strations, the principal officers of both armies, attended 
by their engineers, reconoitered the British works in New 
York closely, on both sides, from the opposite shores. By 
these different movements of the combined army. General 
Clinton no longer doubted but that New York was men- 



9? T H E V I N E O F L I r. E R T r . 

ftced with an immedite attack. When Washington receiv- 
ed intelligence that Count de Grasse was no longer far 
from the Chesapeake, he suddenly passed the Croton, then 
the Hudson, and proceeded by forced marches through 
New Jersey to Trenton. But further, this consummate 
general of the new world, now showing a depth of skill 
sufficient to overreach and hold in leading strings the pro* 
foundest of Europe's warriors, gave out and even persuad- 
ed the British General, by his demonstrations, that his 
only object was to draw him out of New York, in order 
to fight him in the open field, with superior forces. Clin- 
ton, thinking to defeat one shrewd turn by another, re- 
mained behind his fortifications. But the American gen- 
eralissimo, having at length received notice that the 
French fleet was in sight of the coasts, no longer delayed 
to cross the Delaware, He marched with extreme celer- 
ity through Pennsylvania, and appeared all of a sudden 
at the head of the Elk, upon the northern extremity of 
Chesapeake Bay. And now all at once the bandage fell 
from the eyes of Clinton; and he saw himself left in secu- 
rity ; but the storm was fast gathering around Cornwallis 
iu Virginia. The precious moment for sending him suc- 
cor was lost. Three days before the arrival of Count de 
Grasse in the Chesapeake, Count de Barras had made 
•ail from Rhode Island, with four ships loaded with in- 
u-enching tools, with which to erect the beseiging works 
against Cornwallis, a most important item in carrying on 
the seige. It was of the utmost moment that this squad- 
ron should not be intercepted by the British fleet. The 
wily commander who had charge of the intrenching tools, 



^}^f\/'i HEVINEOF LIBERTY 93 

Stood far out to sea, and after reaching the Bahamas, 
steered his course for the Chesapeake. Meanwhile, Ad- 
miral Hood appeared at the entrance of that bay, whose 
object was to drav/ de Grasse out to sea, to give battle, 
and if possible defeat him, and thus keep the way open 
for the atimission of reinforcements to Yorktown, for the 
succor of Cornwallis. De Grasse was artful enough to 
comprehend the whole object of the British Admiral; and 
although he sallied out he v/as careful not to risk a close 
engagement, but manosuvred at partial ones, until he 
learned that de Barras had slipped in with the intrench- 
ing tools ; then he drew off, and proceeded immediately 
to the blockade of Yorktown ; w^iile Admiral Hood re- 
tired to New York to refit his damaged ships. Lord Corn- 
wallis fortified Ids army, which consisted of 7,000 veteran 
troops, in Yorktown, on the right bank of York river, 
and also fortified Gloucester point, on the opposite side of 
the river. He was surrounded on the Gloucester side by 
the army of Layfayette, on the Yorktown side, where the 
main besieging was to take place, by the combined arm- 
ies of Washington and Rochambeau, and on the water by 
the French fleet. Thus commenced a siege, in its results 
the most glorious, the world has ever been called to wit- 
ness. 

It is not consistent with the plan of this little work to 
enter into the details of this investiture ; a few circum- 
stances only can be mentioned. The besieging army con- 
sisted of 20,000 land troops, four-fifths of whom were reg- 
ulars, and a French fleet of 30 sail of the line. Most of 
the illustrious officers of the war were present. The 



94 THEVINEOFLIBERTY. 

young Hamilton was one of the most active aid-de-campg 
of Washington. General Knox here displayed the talents 
of a consummate engineer, and had the control of that 
very important department. On the 6th of October, the 
intrenchments were pronounced ready for operations. 
About 10 o'clock of that night, one hundred heavy cannon 
opened their fire. All the circumstances of this scene 
were indescribably grand and sublime. From the north 
and from the south the heroes of freedom had met. They 
exchanged salutations with hearts overflowing with the 
most joyous hope that a glorious termination of all their 
toils was at hand. And now the first battery opened with 
deafening explosions ; the next, and the next, and so round 
the semicircle, explosion quickly succeeding explosion. 
The officers gathered in grouj)s, and watched with intense 
anxiety this first experiment. Through the deep gloom 
of night the long, fiery trains arched over the devoted 
town. With terrible precision they carried destruction 
into every part of the besieged army. Some of the balls 
swept quite over the town and fell among the shipping 
in the river, setting them on fire and thus heightening the 
sublimity of the scene. The beseiged for a short tirr.e re- 
turned the fire, but their guns were soon silenced. The 
officers of Cornwallis advised him to transport his army 
across the river, and by that means attempt escape ; but 
every measure that might have aff'orded relief was either 
neglected or adopted too late. In the midst of these irre- 
sistible perils. Lord Cornwallis received a despatch from 
Clinton, which held out the hope tliat if the winds and 
other unforeseen events did not prevent, the relief would 



THE VINE OP LIBERTY. &5 

Ball from New York the twelfth of October. This news 
afforded but little consolation. The danger and destruc- 
tion grew more dreadful every hour. Disease and even 
famine began to co-operate with the missiles of the enemy 
in scattering death and dismay in every direction. At 
length Cornwallis resorted to the measure which, if he 
had adopted it at first, might have saved his army; this 
was to cross the river by night, and escape. Here anoth- 
er of those remarkable incidents or Providential interposi- 
tions occurred. The preparations being completed to 
pass the river, under cover of night, already a part of the 
troops are landed at Gloucester point; another jDortion is 
embarked ; the third division only is waited for : a per- 
fect calm prevails in the air and upon the waters ; every 
thing seemed to favor the design of the JBritish commander. 
But suddenly, at that critical moment of hope, apprehen- 
sion and danger, a violent storm of wind and rain arose. 
All was lost ! the boats were driven down the river, and the 
army, thus weakened and divided, was involved in a state 
of imminent danger. The day began to aj^pear. The be* 
siegers opened a tremendous "fire from all their batteries, 
and the bombs foil thickly upon the devoted ranks of the 
doomed army. But the tempest in the meantime, abated ; 
the boats were able to return, and the English, finding 
this last way of safety interdicted, came back, not without 
new perils, to that shore where a cerl;^in death or an in- 
evitable captivity awaited them. The white flag was 
sent to Washington, and Cornwallis soon agreed to terms 
of capitulation. • 



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